NCP (SP) Warns of Highway Blockade Over Drought Relief Delays in Maharashtra
NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar criticizes Maharashtras government for failing drought relief, threatening to block the expressway if action isnt taken.
Mumbai, September 28 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra’s political landscape is heating up as NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar has sharply criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his government for their inaction regarding drought relief. On Monday, Pawar highlighted the plight of farmers and agricultural workers in drought-affected areas, emphasizing the lack of direct financial assistance despite the declaration of drought in several regions.
Pawar issued a stern warning to the government, stating that if solid relief measures and financial allocations are not officially approved by October 12, party workers will block the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway in protest. He set a clear deadline, insisting that if the Maharashtra Cabinet fails to announce a financial package in its upcoming weekly meetings, a significant highway movement will be initiated.
He specified that if no relief is provided by October 12, farmers and agricultural laborers will completely obstruct traffic on the expressway between October 12 and 15. According to Pawar, the overall crop losses across the state have surpassed ₹35,900 crores, with more than ₹22,400 crores lost in the Vidarbha region alone.
Pawar also criticized the state’s official list of drought-affected talukas, accusing the government of downplaying the number of impacted areas, referencing data from the central government’s portal. He pointed out inconsistencies, where regions with higher rainfall were included in the lists, while areas with significant rainfall deficits, such as parts of Nashik and his own Kalyan-Jamkhed constituency—recording a 60% reduction in rainfall—were excluded.
Calling for immediate and comprehensive financial support, Pawar urged Chief Minister Fadnavis to sidestep administrative delays and complex eligibility criteria. He advocated for the urgent distribution of the Developed India-Employment and Livelihood Mission, guaranteed wages for rural workers, and immediate financial assistance per hectare for affected farmers, along with direct monetary grants for landless agricultural laborers. Pawar emphasized the need for fiscal discipline in long-term development spending, prioritizing emergency agricultural relief before the Diwali festival.
