Satara, September 18 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited his ancestral village, Dare, in Satara district on Friday during the Ganesh festival. He assessed the rainfall situation in the state and reassured farmers grappling with severe crop losses due to insufficient rainfall.
Shinde emphasized that the government would not abandon the farming community and promised comprehensive assistance for areas affected by drought. His remarks came in response to a demand from senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar, who urged the state government to declare a drought and distribute immediate relief.
The Deputy Chief Minister acknowledged that drought has devastated standing crops in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. He mentioned that an assessment of crop losses is underway to determine the necessary aid based on actual damages.
To review the crisis, Shinde held a video conference with Minister of State for Osmanabad Pratap Sarnaik, MP Omraje Nimbalkar, and the district collector. The responsible minister is visiting affected areas and has confirmed plans to meet directly with farmers soon.
Rejecting criticism from the opposition, Shinde stated that the Mahayuti government prefers to let its work speak for itself rather than engage in political rhetoric.
While celebrating “World Bamboo Day” on his farm in Dare, Shinde highlighted the successful cultivation of crops like blueberries, along with traditional crops such as kapoor and hing. He advocated for the use of bamboo in ethanol production, modern infrastructure, and everyday commercial goods.
He also called for large-scale bamboo farming alongside efforts to protect the environment during the festive season. In a light-hearted jab at his political opponents, he remarked that his visits to his village seem to cause them discomfort, suggesting he might need to find a remedy for their “indigestion” from his work.
Earlier, NCP chief Sharad Pawar had written a detailed letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, drawing attention to the severe agricultural crisis caused by erratic monsoon rains and demanding immediate intervention on nine critical issues.
Pawar’s letter followed the Chief Minister’s commitment to make Marathwada drought-free during the “Marathwada Liberation Day” celebrations. Highlighting the ground realities, Pawar emphasized that inadequate rainfall has severely impacted crops across Marathwada and other regions, leaving farmers in dire straits.
In his letter, Pawar expressed grave concerns over standing crops, drinking water shortages, and the lack of fodder for livestock. He stated, “Farmers across most parts of the state are facing a severe crisis due to the lack of rain this year. Standing crops such as soybean, cotton, millet, maize, tur (pigeon pea), moong, and urad have dried up, compounded by increased pest attacks. Consequently, the situation regarding agriculture, drinking water, and fodder supply is worsening.”
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