Thane: The
Shiv Sena is stepping up relief efforts to ensure drought-hit farmers do not lose the festive spirit of
Diwali, Deputy chief minister
Eknath Shinde said on Tuesday, as he flagged off the first batch of trucks carrying ration kits to affected areas from outside his Thane residence on Tuesday afternoon.
“Maharashtra is facing a drought. While the government’s financial assistance of Rs 5,000 is being credited directly to farmers’ bank accounts, the Shiv Sena is sending ration kits to drought-affected areas. Our workers will visit farmers’ homes and deliver the supplies to their doorsteps,” he said.
Shinde said farmers had suffered crop losses due to excessive rainfall last year and this year were battling drought conditions. He acknowledged the financial strain on farming families.
Shinde also said the party would take responsibility for arranging the marriages of daughters from drought-hit farming families facing financial hardship. Local party functionaries have been instructed to identify and register such families, he added, pointing out how the party was carrying forward the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe, who believed in 80% social service and 20% politics.
“The state and Centre along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi are also firmly supporting farmers. We will not allow farmers’ Diwali to be dampened,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Shinde has also extended assistance to farmers while observing the festival with simplicity, the deputy chief minister said.
The BJP in Thane has also begun contributing funds towards relief for drought-affected farmers, signalling parallel efforts by Mahayuti allies to support farming families ahead of the festival.
