'Kanyadaan Yojana' will help farmers marry their daughter: Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday expressed concern over the increasing number of farmers' suicide in Maharashtra and said that his party would start a scheme which would take care of the expenditure of the marriage of a farmer's daughter.

"I understand that they (farmers) are worried with the huge debts especially those who have unmarried daughters. I want to tell them not to worry as Shiv Sena is with them. We are starting 'Shiv Sena Pramukh Kanyadaan Yojana'. Under this scheme, the Shiv Sena will take care of all the expenditure of the marriage of a farmer's daughter," Thackeray told the media here.

"The farmers in Maharashtra are thinking of committing suicide and many have even committed suicide due to drought in the region. I want to tell them that it is a sin to commit suicide. I have requested the Centre to give some financial assistance to Maharashtra just like they gave 'special package' to Bihar.

The rate of farmers' suicide has significantly risen in Maharashtra in the last six months due to weak monsoon and drought in the region.