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Uddhav Thackeray Seeks Maharashtra Special Session Over Dry Spell
Several parts of Maharashtra are facing a long period with too little rain.
Uddhav Thackeray said the state government should call a special meeting of the legislature.
He wants leaders to explain how they will help farmers and villages.
He also wants an online dashboard showing where money, water tankers and fodder shelters are being provided.
Thackeray asked for all farm loans to be waived.
He warned that farmers could face serious hardship and that some people might have to move away.
He criticized spending on projects such as the Shaktipeeth Highway and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited several districts to inspect damaged crops.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray called for a special Maharashtra legislature session on the dry spell.
He demanded a district- and taluka-level dashboard tracking farmer aid, water tankers and fodder shelters.
Thackeray sought a complete farm-loan waiver and government guarantees for affected farmers.
He urged cabinet meetings in Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Marathwada.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inspected crop damage in several districts amid scanty rainfall.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the state government.
- What
- Thackeray demanded a special legislature session and broader drought-relief measures, including a complete farm-loan waiver.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including Solapur, Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Marathwada, Latur, Dharashiv, Washim and Amravati.
- When
- Thackeray made the demand on Thursday, September 24; Fadnavis visited affected districts on Wednesday and Thursday.
- Why
- Several areas were experiencing a dry spell and scanty rainfall, raising concerns about crop damage, farmer hardship and migration.
Thackeray's demands
Government response reported
Handling the dry spell
Thackeray's demands
Uddhav Thackeray said the government should hold a special legislature session and explain the mitigation steps it has taken.
Government response reported
The report does not include a detailed government response, but says Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited affected districts to inspect crop damage.
Farmer relief
Thackeray's demands
Thackeray demanded a complete farm-loan waiver, government guarantees and transparent public data on assistance and relief operations.
Government response reported
The report does not state whether the government accepted these demands; it reports that help for farmers had not yet been announced, according to Thackeray.
Public spending priorities
Thackeray's demands
Thackeray criticized spending on the Shaktipeeth Highway and Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train while farmers faced distress.
Government response reported
The report provides no government response to his criticism of these projects.
Key facts
- Main demand
- A special session of the Maharashtra legislature, preferably the following week.
- Proposed monitoring
- A dashboard showing district-wise and taluka-wise farmer assistance, plus village-wise water-tanker deployment and fodder shelters.
- Relief request
- Complete farm-loan waiver and government guarantees for affected farmers.
- Requested administrative action
- Cabinet meetings in Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Marathwada.
- Weather concern
- Thackeray cited warnings that El Nino could affect the monsoon.
- Chief minister's visits
- Devendra Fadnavis inspected affected areas in Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Washim and Amravati districts.
- Additional concern
- Thackeray warned that drought could lead to farmer suicides and migration.
Quotes
Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra chief minister
“The government should hold a special session of the state legislature, preferably next week and spell out the mitigation steps undertaken by it because the government has to fulfil all the assurances given on the floor of the House.”
theprint.in
“The dry spell will push the farmers to commit suicide. Hence, there should be a complete loan waiver and the government must stand as guarantors as it has done for some sugar factories.”
theprint.in
Sources
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