Nagpur: The ongoing political war of words between the ruling coalition and the opposition over the drought situation in Maharashtra continued on Friday, with Congress legislators from Vidarbha accusing BJP-led Mahayuti’s “double engine” govt of failing farmers by not announcing any major compensation package so far. A BJP minister, however, maintained that crop-wise assessments are underway and relief measures will be announced once the exercise is completed.Former cabinet minister Vijay Wadettiwar said despite BJP being in power both at the Centre and in Maharashtra, the much-touted “double-engine” govt has failed to pull farmers out of the drought crisis. “There was an expectation that the govt would immediately announce compensation of Rs50,000 per hectare. Instead, it is busy examining NDRF and SDRF norms and assessing groundwater levels. This is nothing but delaying tactics. What is the point of being in power everywhere if you cannot address the most basic problems faced by citizens?” Wadettiwar said.He also warned that farmer-led marches would be launched across Vidarbha after the Ganesh festival celebrations conclude.Echoing similar sentiments, his party colleague and former assembly speaker Nana Patole urged Maharashtra govt to take a cue from neighbouring Karnataka. “The Congress govt in Karnataka has declared drought and provided assistance to farmers within a fortnight. Maharashtra’s BJP-led govt has failed to do the same. There, the govt stood by farmers. Here, the BJP govt is standing against them,” Patole said.Patole also criticised the state administration for not responding despite repeated appeals from opposition parties.“Only last week, a delegation comprising leaders from Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) met Maharashtra governor seeking immediate relief for farmers. Yet the state govt has remained unmoved. The double-engine govt has failed,” he said.Responding to the criticism, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the govt was tackling the issue on a war footing, with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis personally monitoring the situation.“The chief minister has already directed that panchnamas be conducted, and preliminary report from 18 districts has been received. The final assessment will take some more time. Once it is submitted, the govt will be in a position to determine the amount of relief that should be provided,” Bawankule said.He stressed that a detailed ground-level assessment was essential before any compensation package could be announced. “If decisions are made without proper data, farmers may not receive adequate relief. Guardian ministers, district collectors, divisional commissioners and MLAs have all been directed to conduct field visits. The chief minister has accorded the issue top priority,” Bawankule added.
