Nagpur: Govt’s declaration of a drought in 265 talukas across Maharashtra, including Katol and Narkhed in Nagpur district, must be followed by immediate financial assistance to farmers, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said on Saturday.AAP demanded that govt provide farmers assistance of Rs1 lakh per acre and Rs1.5 lakh per acre to fruit growers without waiting for crop-damage assessments or imposing conditions.Vrushabh Wankhede of AAP led a protest organised at Katol seeking immediate drought relief. Wankhede criticised govt for delaying actual assistance while only declaring the drought. “Farmers need substantial assistance immediately. The govt should not turn the drought declaration into an empty exercise,” Wankhede said.He claimed that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had described the situation as more severe than the 1972 drought, but alleged that the measures announced so far were inadequate. He said govt announced measures such as waiving land revenue for farmers and examination fees for students but is yet to come up with a concrete plan for farm loan waivers or comprehensive financial assistance.AAP leaders Sunildada Wadaskar, Jagjit Singh, Ahmed Qadar and Pankaj Ghatole were among those present. Hundreds of farmers also participated in the protest.
