Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nov 3 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday slammed the Maharashtra government, accusing it of squandering public funds on political events while ignoring the needs of farmers in drought-hit regions of the state.
Speaking to reporters here during his two-day tour of drought-affected villages across Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districts, the former minister alleged that despite severe distress in most talukas, the state administration has failed to provide adequate financial support or set up essential fodder camps for livestock.
“We have been raising environmental concerns for the past decade, and this situation demands immediate action. Despite most of the talukas in the state facing drought, the chief minister’s entire focus seems to be on the valleys of the Sahyadri,” he said in a veiled reference to the proposed felling of more than 32,000 trees for Torrent Power’s hydropower project in Raigad district.
Thackeray claimed that farmers across the state are enduring hardship and have not received the Rs 5,000 relief announced by the government.
“Around Rs 20 crore to Rs 30 crore is being spent on political events, alongside ongoing political manoeuvres to engineer defections of MPs and MLAs. On the other hand, farmers are yet to receive even the basic aid of Rs 5,000,” he alleged.
He also warned of agitation over issues concerning farmers in the state.
“There is anger among citizens, and the government is refusing to communicate with them. To hold this administration accountable, people need to unite. We will go among the masses and chart our future course, but citizens are already submitting memorandums urging us to lead a morcha,” the Sena (UBT) leader said.
Thackeray also highlighted the acute shortage of fodder and drinking water for livestock, accusing the government of inaction.
“Farmers are struggling for drinking water and fodder for their cattle, and the government has not set up a single fodder camp to date. Meanwhile, self-styled gorakshaks (cow vigilantes) are harassing farmers in some villages, and the government is turning a blind eye to it,” he alleged. PTI AW ARU
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