Supriya Sule Demands ₹1 Lakh Aid for Drought-Hit Farmers
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule calls for substantial financial support for farmers affected by drought in Maharashtra.
Sule requests ₹1 lakh per hectare for drought-affected farmers.
Maharashtra government has declared drought in 305 talukas.
Initial relief of ₹5,000 to be deposited into farmers' accounts ahead of Diwali.
On Thursday, Supriya Sule, a prominent leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), urged the Maharashtra government to provide ₹1 lakh per hectare in financial assistance to farmers grappling with severe drought conditions. Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Sule emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the struggles faced by farmers amid rising inflation and water scarcity.
Sule's call for aid comes as the state government has officially declared a drought across 305 of its 358 talukas. She pointed out that many farmers are in dire need of support and criticized the government for not releasing pending aid under existing schemes. The Baramati MP mentioned that her party chief, Sharad Pawar, has already communicated with the government regarding the necessity of this relief.
In her statements, Sule also addressed the need for banks to ease their demands on farmers and advocated for the initiation of employment-guarantee programs to support those affected by the drought. She noted that farmers are entitled to annual assistance from both the central and state governments, yet a portion of the state's contributions remains unpaid, exacerbating the financial strain on agricultural workers.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, recently announced that an initial relief of ₹5,000 would be directly deposited into farmers' bank accounts before the Diwali festival. This move aims to provide immediate financial relief, although Sule argues that it is insufficient given the scale of the crisis. She reiterated the importance of timely and adequate support for farmers to mitigate the impacts of the drought.
Looking ahead, Sule expressed her commitment to advocating for farmers' rights and ensuring that their voices are heard in the political arena. She also commented on various political issues, including allegations of irregularities in recent elections and the need for responsible discourse in political discussions. As the situation develops, the focus remains on how the state government will respond to the ongoing challenges faced by the agricultural community in Maharashtra.
