Shiv Sena Criticizes Maharashtra Governments Drought Relief as Insufficient
Shiv Sena denounces Maharashtras drought relief plan for farmers, calling it a hollow gesture amid severe agricultural crisis.
Mumbai, October 29 (Daily Kiran) : The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) has sharply criticized the Maharashtra government’s recent announcement of a ₹5,000 relief package for drought-affected farmers. They labeled the initiative as fraudulent and merely a façade, arguing that farmers in distress require substantial support rather than token gestures.
In a scathing editorial published in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana,’ the Shiv Sena contended that instead of standing firmly with the approximately 15 million farmers grappling with drought, the ruling government has effectively betrayed them by imposing a “33 percent condition.”
The editorial pointed out that while the government had previously made bold claims about distributing the ₹5,000 assistance, it is now restricting the aid to regions where crop loss assessments have been completed and where losses exceed 33 percent. This stringent criterion means that nearly half of the struggling farmers will receive no assistance at all during this severe drought.
With the Kharif crop entirely devastated and the lack of rain making Rabi sowing nearly impossible, rural areas are facing acute shortages of drinking water and fodder. The government has directed strict action against private finance companies and moneylenders who are harassing farmers for loan repayments. However, intimidation tactics continue unabated.
The editorial also referenced tragic incidents in Nanded and Latur, where farmers, overwhelmed by debt, have taken their own lives. This raises questions about whether the government’s directives are genuinely reaching those in need.
Moreover, the Shiv Sena criticized the Soil and Water Conservation Department for suddenly beginning to dig water absorption pits weeks after the monsoon ended. They described these delayed actions as too little, too late. With no further rainfall expected, the party questioned whether the government plans to fill these newly dug pits with water tankers.
The editorial accused the government of implementing projects that seem designed to enrich contractors and middlemen rather than genuinely alleviating the water crisis in rural areas. It highlighted the stark reality that, despite grand promises from those in power, bureaucratic hurdles and eligibility criteria act as a more dangerous barrier than the natural drought itself.
