Maharashtra govt warned of contempt on failing to disburse hail-aid in time

The Bombay High Court today warned the Maharashtra government with contempt action if it fails to disburse relief funds within the time frame given by it to farmers affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorm that hit Maharashtra this year.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sanklecha was hearing a public interest litigation filed by two agriculturists - Gorakh Gadge and Vithalrao Pawar - seeking a direction to the central and state government to disburse immediate relief fund of Rs 20,000 crore to the affected farmers.

Unseasonal rains and hailstorms since February had affected over 3,000 villages in the state damaging crops and cattle and killing at least 28 people.

Additional government pleader Milind More today informed the court that survey of 3138 villages out of total affected 3160 villages is complete and survey of remaining villages would be completed by April 2.

"On the basis of the survey report, relief amount will be distributed directly to the farmers' accounts electronically. The disbursement will start from April 5 and will be completed by April 16," he said.

The bench accepted the assurance but warned the government of contempt action if it fails to complete the process by then.

Advocate Pooja Thorat, appearing for the petitioners, however, told the court that survey was not done in a proper manner and several talukas and villages have been skipped.