Slamming the Maharashtra government’s unfair compensation to Marathwada flood victims, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday called it a “matter of concern”.
As reported by news agency ANI, Sanjay Raut also announced that Shiv Sena (UBT) will hold a `Marathwada Morcha` led by party chief Uddhav Thackeray to protest the government`s inaction.
While speaking to the media on Friday, Sanjay Raut said that the government appeared more focused on welcoming the visiting British Prime Minister than on addressing the severe distress faced by flood-hit regions.
Raut emphasised, “The flood situation in Marathwada is still a matter of concern, but the government is not serious. The government was busy welcoming the British Prime Minister. It was expected that Modi would come and make some announcements for the flood victims in Marathwada, but to prevent this burden from falling on Modi, Devendra Fadnavis has announced a package that will blow away the dust,” as cited by ANI.
Sanjay Raut further demanded that the government should provide compensation of Rs 50,000 per hectare to affected farmers, emphasising that the damage to farmland is so severe that “the next two generations cannot use the land for farming.”
Announcing Marathwada Morcha, Raut asserted that “Shiv Sena (UBT) is organising a Marathwada Morcha, and Uddhav Thackeray himself will lead it.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also urged PM Modi to extend financial aid to the region`s farmers from the PM Cares Fund.
“We demanded that Narendra Modi should at least help the farmers of Marathwada from the PM Cares Fund. If the flood-affected farmers are not helped, then it should be known to whom this money is for.” He added, warning that the suicide rate among farmers could rise further if relief measures are not implemented urgently for the victims of the Maharashtra floods.
However, earlier, after the heavy rains made havoc in parts of Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a relief package of Rs 31,628 crore. The government also decided to provide cash relief of Rs 10,000 to affected farmers, as reported by news agency ANI.
Furthermore, CM Fadnavis also noted that more than 68 lakh hectares of crops were damaged due to floods and heavy rainfall in the state. The relief package will cover the damage in 29 out of 36 districts of Maharashtra.
(With inputs from ANI)
