Maharashtra Drought: 'PM Modi Assures Centre's Support, Farmers' Diwali Won't Be Marred By Crisis,' Says Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged the Centre’s support to Maharashtra in addressing the severe drought situation. Shinde met with Modi in New Delhi and discussed the drought crisis, focusing on water availability, agricultural conditions and fodder requirements for livestock.

The Prime Minister requested detailed information on the situation and promised all possible assistance from the Centre. Shinde assured farmers that Diwali would not be marred by the drought crisis, emphasizing that the government would stand firmly behind the farming community. Under the current scheme, farmers receive an annual financial assistance of Rs 12,000, with Rs 6,000 coming from the Centre’s Shetkari Samman Yojana and an equal amount from Maharashtra’s Namo Shetkari Yojana.

Shinde recalled the government’s assistance during last year’s heavy rains and vowed to provide support whenever farmers faced distress, stating that the farming community has the first right over the government treasury. He criticized the Opposition for focusing on marches, protests and allegations against Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah instead of addressing farmers’ concerns.

The Mahayuti coordination committee discussed the nomination of Mangesh Chivte from the Pune Teachers’ constituency for the upcoming Legislative Council elections. Shinde said that the party has issued the AB Form and Chivte is expected to file his nomination on Tuesday. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Modi will make a decision on the proposed Cabinet expansion at an appropriate time.

Shinde targeted the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), accusing leaders who had been rejected by voters of now making statements about “burying” others. Lastly, Shinde praised Indian pilot Smit Machhar for identifying Modi as an inspiration and reciting the Hanuman Chalisa during a crisis, contrasting it with the Opposition’s earlier stand against people reciting the Hanuman Chalisa.