3 hrs ago
Shiv Sena (UBT) Criticizes Maharashtra Government Over Farmer Distress
The monsoon rains have ended in most of Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena (UBT) says many areas did not get enough rain.
Its editorial says late rains and a long dry period harmed farmers’ crops.
It also says the heat has dried pastures, wells and local water bodies.
This has made drinking water and animal fodder harder to find.
The party criticized the state government’s response and said farmers need help.
It also alleged that officials showed a minister a green, irrigated farm instead of dry fields.
The government’s response is not included in the article.
After the India Meteorological Department announced the monsoon’s withdrawal from most of Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) warned of a potentially severe, prolonged drought.
The party’s Saamana editorial said more than 20 of the state’s 36 districts had recorded rainfall deficits.
It said delayed monsoon rains and a nearly two-month dry spell damaged crops in Marathwada, Vidarbha and Central Maharashtra.
The editorial cited rainfall deficits of 58% in Solapur, 51% in Beed and 49% in Hingoli, among other districts.
It described shortages of drinking water and cattle fodder and reported a new wave of farmer suicides in Vidarbha and Marathwada.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, criticized the Maharashtra government over farmer distress.
- What
- The party warned of drought and alleged that the government was not providing adequate relief to farmers.
- Where
- Maharashtra, with the article highlighting Solapur, Marathwada and Vidarbha.
- When
- On Monday, after the IMD announced the monsoon’s withdrawal from most of Maharashtra; no date is specified.
- Why
- The party cited rainfall deficits, crop damage, heat and shortages of drinking water and cattle fodder.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Editorial
Maharashtra Government
Government response to farmer distress
Shiv Sena (UBT) Editorial
The party said declaring a drought would not relieve the government of its responsibilities and that farmers were waiting for immediate assistance.
Maharashtra Government
The article does not include a response from the Maharashtra government.
Solapur farm inspection
Shiv Sena (UBT) Editorial
The editorial alleged that local officials took the Guardian Minister to an irrigated green farm instead of showing dried-up crops.
Maharashtra Government
The article does not provide the officials’ or minister’s account of the inspection.
Key facts
- Districts in Maharashtra
- 36
- Districts with reported rainfall deficits
- More than 20, according to the Saamana editorial
- Highest deficit cited
- Solapur: 58%
- Other deficits cited
- Beed: 51%; Hingoli: 49%; Jalna: 48%; Ahilyanagar and Dharashiv: 46% each; Sindhudurg: 36%
- Heat cited by editorial
- Temperatures reached 36°C, with the typical October heat said to have begun in mid-August
- Regions identified as crop-damaged
- Marathwada, Vidarbha and Central Maharashtra
- Drought warning
- The party warned of a severe drought lasting 9 to 10 months
Quotes
Saamana editorial
An editorial in the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece discussing rainfall deficits in Maharashtra.
“Solapur recorded the highest deficit in the state at 58 per cent. Beed faced a rainfall deficit of 51 per cent. Hingoli recorded a deficit of 49 per cent. Jalna logged a deficit of 48 per cent. Ahilyanagar and Dharashiv both registered a 46 per cent shortage. Even coastal Sindhudurg, usually known for high rainfall, registered a 36 per cent deficit.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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