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Campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra has taken a back seat due to severe damage caused by hailstorms and rainfall in 16 districts of Marathwada, Vidarbha and parts of western and northern Maharashtra.
Almost all political parties are sending delegates to visit the affected areas and provide relief, even from their own funds.
The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) cancelled their joint rally organised on Monday in Beed after realising that they might not be able to mobilise people, who are busy tackling the present crisis.
Maharashtra Minister for Rehabilitation Patangrao Kadam told Business Standard, ‘’I am personally visiting affected districts. The government has initiated the process of assessing the damage caused to the scores of farmers. The government will provide compensation to farmers.’’
Maharashtra Minister of State for Revenue and Rehabilitation, Suresh Dhas, who is also the NCP’s candidate from Beed against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopinath Munde, has cancelled his election campaign meetings so that he can devote time to visiting affected areas and coordinate the relief and rehabilitation works.
A high level delegation of the opposition Shiv Sena, comprising the party’s group leader in the state assembly Subhash Desai and legislator Diwakar Rawate is currently on a visit to Marathwada. The Sena has taken an initiative to help affected persons on their own. The party has also rapped the state government for its apathy towards speedy implementation of relief works.
Desai said that banks should immediately stop the recovery of loans from the farmers affected due to untimely rainfall. “During our visit, we found that the loan recovery is still on. If banks fail to stop it, the Shiv Sena will stage dharnas on bank premises,” he warned.
The BJP’s leader of opposition in the state assembly, Eknath Khadse, has already appealed to the state government for an early assistance to the affected persons. Khadse’s demand has been supported by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray, who has decided to tour these villages in a day or two.
Over 600,000 hectares have been damaged by the rainfall and hailstorms. Preliminary estimates gathered from various departments show that the damage could be about Rs 4,000 crore.
Voting in the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies of Maharashtra is to be held on April 10, 17 & 24.
Almost all political parties are sending delegates to visit the affected areas and provide relief, even from their own funds.
The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) cancelled their joint rally organised on Monday in Beed after realising that they might not be able to mobilise people, who are busy tackling the present crisis.
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Union Minister for Agriculture and NCP President Sharad Pawar is extensively touring the affected villages to personally assess the damage. On Sunday, he spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, with a plea for an urgent assistance from the Centre. Pawar informed that a central team would visit the state in a day or two to examine the damage caused by untimely rainfall and hailstorms.
Maharashtra Minister for Rehabilitation Patangrao Kadam told Business Standard, ‘’I am personally visiting affected districts. The government has initiated the process of assessing the damage caused to the scores of farmers. The government will provide compensation to farmers.’’
Maharashtra Minister of State for Revenue and Rehabilitation, Suresh Dhas, who is also the NCP’s candidate from Beed against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopinath Munde, has cancelled his election campaign meetings so that he can devote time to visiting affected areas and coordinate the relief and rehabilitation works.
A high level delegation of the opposition Shiv Sena, comprising the party’s group leader in the state assembly Subhash Desai and legislator Diwakar Rawate is currently on a visit to Marathwada. The Sena has taken an initiative to help affected persons on their own. The party has also rapped the state government for its apathy towards speedy implementation of relief works.
Desai said that banks should immediately stop the recovery of loans from the farmers affected due to untimely rainfall. “During our visit, we found that the loan recovery is still on. If banks fail to stop it, the Shiv Sena will stage dharnas on bank premises,” he warned.
The BJP’s leader of opposition in the state assembly, Eknath Khadse, has already appealed to the state government for an early assistance to the affected persons. Khadse’s demand has been supported by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray, who has decided to tour these villages in a day or two.
Over 600,000 hectares have been damaged by the rainfall and hailstorms. Preliminary estimates gathered from various departments show that the damage could be about Rs 4,000 crore.
Voting in the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies of Maharashtra is to be held on April 10, 17 & 24.
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