Sharad Pawar Writes To CM Fadnavis, Demands 1 Lakh Per Hectare For Drought Hit Farmers

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) supremo Sharad Pawar has formally reached out to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis through a detailed letter, highlighting the dire situation of drought-affected farmers, agricultural laborers, and rural citizens across the state. In his communication, the veteran leader has put forward a list of 17 specific demands aimed at providing immediate relief to those struggling with the severe water crisis and crop failures. Sharad Pawar emphasized that the government must consider the hardships of the farming community with utmost seriousness and implement these measures without any further delay.

Comprehensive Financial Relief and Loan Waivers

Among the primary demands raised by Sharad Pawar is the complete waiver of agricultural loans for farmers who have been hit hard by the drought, while he has also called for the waiver of land revenue and agricultural electricity bills to ease the financial burden on the rural population. A significant highlight of his proposal is the demand for financial assistance amounting to 1 lakh rupees per hectare for farmers to compensate for their lost crops. Plus, he has requested the government to provide 25 kg of free food grains per family to ensure food security in the affected regions.

Support for Laborers and Students

Sharad Pawar's letter doesn't limit its focus to landowners alone; it also addresses the plight of landless agricultural laborers. He has demanded a direct assistance of 25,000 rupees for each farm laborer family. Recognizing the impact of the economic crisis on the younger generation, Pawar has urged the state government to waive academic fees, hostel charges, and mess fees for students hailing from drought-hit areas. This move is intended to ensure that the education of rural students isn't interrupted by the financial distress of their families.

Infrastructure and Water Management Demands

The 17-point demand list includes urgent provisions for drinking water and the immediate arrangement of water and fodder for livestock. Sharad Pawar has called for the commencement of employment guarantee works to provide local jobs to the rural workforce, while Also, he has sought a special fund dedicated to water conservation efforts to build long-term resilience against such climatic challenges. The letter also specifically mentions the need for compensation for fruit orchards and various other crop losses that have devastated the agricultural economy.

Call for a Special Legislative Session

To address the gravity of the drought situation, Sharad Pawar has suggested convening a special three-day session of the state legislature. He stressed that the relief measures for farmers and laborers should be implemented before the upcoming festivals of Dussehra and Diwali, while the NCP (SP) chief reiterated that providing immediate succor to those battling the drought is a necessity that the government can't ignore. He appealed to the administration to act swiftly on these demands to prevent further escalation of the rural crisis.

Party Action and Upcoming Field Visits

The letter follows a high-level meeting held at Sharad Pawar's residence, where the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) discussed the drought situation in detail. In a show of solidarity, the party announced that all its MLAs and MPs would donate one month's salary to support drought-affected farmers. Demonstrating his commitment at the age of 85, Sharad Pawar is set to personally visit the drought-stricken areas starting from September 28. During this tour, he will visit farms to assess the extent of crop damage and interact with the affected population. Meanwhile, Rohit Pawar is also actively engaging with the drought-hit regions and maintaining pressure on the government. This development comes in the wake of CM Fadnavis's recent decision to declare drought in 265 talukas, acknowledging that nearly 75 percent of the state is currently under the grip of drought conditions.