Government's relief package for rain-hit farmers 'biggest joke in history': Uddhav Thackeray
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday termed the relief package announced by the Maharashtra government for the farmers hit by rains and floods the "biggest joke in history," and demanded a loan waiver for them.
Speaking at a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, the former chief minister said farmers will take to the streets if the Devendra Fadnavis-led government failed to declare a "complete loan waiver" for farmers.
Reacting to Thackeray's tirade, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused him of shedding crocodile tears.
Before the rally, Thackeray walked in a protest march organised by his party from Kranti Chowk to Gulmandi.
In a news conference later, he said farmers were unable to repay crop loans. They were burdened with the loans from the last season, and had the harvest been good this season, they could have repaid the loans and applied for fresh credit, he said.
"The financial assistance announced by the Maharashtra government for farmers is the biggest joke in history," he said.
The government must take responsibility of farmers like parents take responsibility of their wards, the Sena (UBT) chief added.
Soil in the fields has been literally scraped away due to floodwaters in the Marathwada region, and it is necessary to restore farm lands before the Rabi season crops are sown, he said.
The government must disburse Rs 1 lakh out of the Rs 3 lakh aid announced for this purpose immediately, Thackeray demanded.
The districts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Nanded, Beed, Dharashiv, Latur, Parbhani and Hingoli in Marathwada witnessed devastating floods last month.
Earlier this week, the state government announced a compensation package of Rs 31,628 crore, assuring a total assistance of Rs 48,000 per hectare. Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that the government would announce a loan waiver in due course.
Thackeray claimed that as per the analysis conducted by some farm experts, the help announced by the government adds up to only Rs 6,500 crore, and not Rs 31,000 crore.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) will form a team to assess how this financial assistance is disbursed, he said, adding that if the state government does not have enough money, it should seek funds from the PM CARES Fund.
Thackeray also demanded at the rally that farmers must get at least Rs 50,000 per hectare. Speaking at the press conference later, he claimed that this was what the farmers were asking for.
The aid of Rs 37,500 per dead cattle and Rs 100 per chicken was meagre, Thackeray said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not speak about farmers when he visited Maharashtra for the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai international airport on Wednesday, he said.
On Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil's purported remark that people have become obsessed with loan waiver, and his candid admission that politicians make promises during elections as they want to win, Thackeray said such ministers should get their mental condition tested.
"I saw hoardings (put up by BJP leaders) congratulating the government for declaring a package of Rs 31,000 crore. But we don't find farmers on these hoardings. They are filled with (pictures of) ministers and party members," the former CM said.
The BJP-led government has failed to fulfill PM Modi's 2014 promise of doubling farm incomes, he claimed.
The Sena (UBT) leader also said that the Fadnavis government, despite enjoying a brute majority, was afraid of appointing the leader of opposition in the state assembly.
If the government was citing the rule that the Opposition does not have enough members to demand this appointment, then the post of deputy chief minister to is "unconstitutional", he claimed.
Countering Thackeray's criticism, deputy chief minister Shinde told reporters in Thane that in view of the large-scale damage caused by rains and floods, CM Fadnavis, the deputy CMs and all the ministers visited the affected areas, and decided that NDRF rules must not come in the way of providing relief to farmers.
He termed Thackeray's rally as a show of "crocodile tears", and said the latter was exploiting farmers' pain for political mileage.
"When power slips away from their hands, they cry foul. They do not really care for farmers," Shinde said.
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J&K CM Abdullah inaugurates upgraded hospital, key road link during Rajouri visit
Nowshera/Jammu (PTI): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated a vital upgraded road and a 100-bedded sub-district hospital during his visit to the border belt of Nowshera in Rajouri district, emphasising that public office is a responsibility to serve the people and improve their quality of life.
The chief minister received a rousing welcome on his arrival, with people lining both sides of the road, showering flower petals.
Soon after he arrived in Nowshera, Abdullah inaugurated a vital road link from the highway bridge to Nowshera town and the 100-bedded sub-district hospital during his tour of the area.
The visit of the chief minister, along with his cabinet colleagues, marked a major push towards strengthening connectivity and healthcare infrastructure in the region.
The upgraded road project, executed by the PWD department for Rs 7.99 crore, is expected to significantly improve connectivity, streamline traffic movement and reduce travel time for commuters, officials said.
The chief minister also inaugurated the upgraded 100-bedded sub-district hospital, developed at an estimated cost of Rs 18.18 crore. The facility is equipped with modern healthcare infrastructure aimed at enhancing patient care and expanding access to quality medical services for the people of Nowshera and adjoining areas, they said.
During his visit, Abdullah took a detailed tour of the hospital and inspected key sections, including X-ray, ECG and ultrasound rooms, examination rooms, and the blood storage unit. He interacted with doctors, staff and patients, enquiring about the availability and quality of healthcare services.
Addressing a massive public gathering, Abdullah emphasised that public office is a responsibility to serve the people and improve their quality of life.
"Positions of power are not meant for personal comfort but to bring relief to the people and make their lives easier. Our priority is to strengthen schools, hospitals, roads, and address unemployment and poverty," he said.
He highlighted key initiatives aimed at boosting connectivity, healthcare and overall socio-economic growth in Rajouri and adjoining areas.
Interacting with the public, he assured that the voices and aspirations of the people of the Pir Panjal region would continue to guide policy decisions and drive responsive governance on the ground.
The chief minister reiterated the government’s commitment to regularising daily wagers and ensuring justice for Anganwadi and ASHA workers through improved wages and stipends.
He also highlighted various welfare initiatives, including the provision of free gas cylinders to the poorest households, electricity support and free bus travel for women.
Highlighting recent developmental achievements, he noted that projects like the Nowshera road and hospital, which had remained pending for years, were completed due to the focused efforts of the present government.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said that key infrastructure projects in the region have been realised under the leadership of the chief minister, reaffirming the government's commitment to balanced and equitable development across Jammu and Kashmir.
