Mumbai, September 24 (Daily Kiran) : Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), has sharply criticized the Maharashtra government for its handling of the severe agricultural crisis and drought conditions in the state. During a press conference, he challenged the ruling coalition’s ground tours, labeling them mere photo opportunities and political posturing.
Thackeray outlined five key demands, including the immediate convening of special cabinet meetings in the worst-hit areas such as Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), and Vidarbha. He also called for a special session of the state assembly to address the issues faced by distressed farmers.
He stated, “A special session of the Maharashtra assembly should be convened for 2-3 days without any procedural delays to discuss measures to combat the drought, the distribution of drinking water, and relief for crop losses.”
Criticizing the reliance on the stringent rules of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), Thackeray urged the government to bypass bureaucratic hurdles and officially declare the drought situation based on ground realities.
He demanded full transparency and a comprehensive report detailing how much of the previously announced ₹31,000 crore economic package has actually reached affected farmers. He also called for the immediate release of a complete list of beneficiaries under the existing agricultural loan waiver scheme.
Thackeray highlighted that during his tenure, loans of up to ₹2 lakh were fully waived within 15 days without stringent conditions. He urged the government to investigate crop insurance companies that have issued meager compensation checks of just ₹5 or ₹21. He condemned the four major conditions that have impacted farmers’ security and led to a significant drop in insurance registrations.
Questioning Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Thackeray expressed concern over the delay in conducting formal assessments of crop losses, stating, “Farmers are on the brink of despair, crops have burned, fodder for livestock is depleted, and families are drowning in debt. Yet the Chief Minister says assessments will begin later. What are you waiting for? The devastation of farmers is evident.”
Mocking the ministers visiting affected farms, Thackeray dismissed these trips as mere opportunities for photo ops, questioning whether the government’s visits are truly aimed at providing relief or simply ignoring village hardships while enjoying “cashews and almonds.”
He further asserted that the state government should provide financial assistance to farmers within 40 to 45 days without waiting for central funds. He proposed the creation of an open digital dashboard in the ministry to regularly update information on aid distribution and relief measures. Additionally, he called for robust plans to prevent farmer suicides and manage the massive migration from villages to cities, including immediate job creation and temporary housing arrangements.
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