At a meeting in New Delhi, India’s prime minister and the state’s deputy chief minister discussed water, crop conditions and fodder supplies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde that the central government would provide necessary support to farmers affected by drought, Shinde said after a one-hour meeting in New Delhi on October 5.
According to a statement from Shinde’s office, the two discussed water availability, agricultural conditions and fodder for livestock. Shinde said Modi sought details about the situation and assured him of assistance. He expressed confidence that Maharashtra would receive substantial help given the scale of the crisis. “Farmers’ Diwali will not be marred by the drought crisis,” Shinde said, adding that the state government would stand by farmers.
Shinde said farmers receive 12,000 rupees a year through joint assistance from the central and state governments, with 6,000 rupees provided by each. He also cited aid extended after heavy rains last year and said the government would not hold back support when farmers were in distress.
The deputy chief minister criticised the opposition, accusing it of focusing on marches, protests and allegations against Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah instead of raising substantive public issues.
Shinde also discussed upcoming Legislative Council elections. The Mahayuti coalition’s coordination committee had considered Mangesh Chivte for the Pune Teachers’ Constituency. Shinde said his party had issued Chivte an AB Form and that he would file his nomination on October 6. On a possible cabinet expansion, Shinde said Modi, as the National Democratic Alliance’s principal leader, would decide at the appropriate time.