Rohit Pawar Criticizes Eknath Shindes Remarks on Farmers Welfare

Parbhani, October 21 (Daily Kiran) : Rohit Pawar, a legislator from the Nationalist Congress Party, recently criticized Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for his comments during a festival organized by the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena. Shinde had suggested that the event be dedicated to farmers, but Pawar countered this by advocating for direct financial support to the agricultural community.

Pawar emphasized that instead of dedicating a festival, the government should provide farmers with ₹1 lakh per hectare in financial assistance. He also called for ₹25,000 aid for agricultural laborers and the cancellation of loans taken by women’s savings groups and students due to drought conditions. Additionally, he urged for the waiving of students’ fees, stressing that governmental support should prioritize the needs of the people over ceremonial gestures.

During his visit to Parbhani to campaign for the NCP candidate in the Marathwada Graduate constituency, Pawar expressed concern over the rural exodus, predicting that 40% of villagers might migrate to cities due to the ongoing drought. He noted a significant drop in livestock prices, with animals that once cost between ₹80,000 to ₹1 lakh now valued at just ₹40,000.

Pawar also highlighted the critical need for increasing daily water supply from 20 liters to 40 liters per person in areas facing severe shortages, and he called for provisions for livestock water and fodder support through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Furthermore, he criticized the government’s response to peaceful protests, pointing out that citizens carrying the national flag are often met with police repression. He questioned the apparent support that such violence against civilians and political figures seems to receive from both state and central authorities.

Pawar’s remarks reflect growing concerns regarding the plight of farmers and rural communities in Maharashtra amid the ongoing drought crisis.