States » WestPosted at: Sep 22 2026 5:49PM


BJP spokesperson Ban asks Raut to give Rs 40,000 crore to drought-hit farmers

Mumbai, Sep 22 (UNI) BJP Maharashtra chief spokesperson Navnath Ban on Tuesday alleged that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had collected Rs 90,000 crore during its two-and-a-half-year tenure during the COVID-19 period, and challenged Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut to announce that Rs 40,000 crore from the amount would be given to drought-affected farmers in Marathwada and Vidarbha.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office, Ban was responding to Raut's demand that expenditure on the Kumbh Mela be reduced and the funds be diverted to drought-hit farmers.
Ban said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday was being observed through various service-oriented programmes across the country.
He alleged that Raut and the Shiv Sena (UBT) had raised objections to expenditure related to the Kumbh Mela and other programmes, while not raising similar objections to expenditure associated with other religious events.
He also criticised former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray over the conduct of cabinet meetings, saying that cabinet meetings could not be compared with a cricket match and alleged that meetings were held online from home during the previous government.
Ban said the government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would take concrete decisions for farmers. He said the government had announced a farm loan waiver without an impending election and that the first instalment had already been distributed.
"There are drought-like conditions in several parts of Marathwada, Vidarbha, Solapur and north Maharashtra. We are reaching out to farmers and extending support," Ban said.
He also criticised NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar over irrigation policies, alleging that adequate measures had not been taken during his tenure as chief minister to address water-related issues.
On national security, Ban said India had adopted a policy of responding firmly to terrorist activities from Pakistan and asked Raut to examine the foreign policy pursued during previous Congress-led governments.
Ban also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Raut, alleging that both frequently resorted to imitation and theatrics instead of raising substantive issues concerning farmers and students.
Commenting on NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, Ban said Pawar should focus on his party rather than raising concerns about news portals, adding that the government was capable of dealing with such matters.
He further alleged that farmers associated with Pawar's sugar factory had faced difficulties over payments and said Pawar should first clear any outstanding dues before raising questions about issues concerning other farmers.
UNI SP RN
Tags: #BJP spokesperson Ban asks Raut to give Rs 40#000 crore to drought-hit farmers
More News

Maha: Akola court awards death sentence to man in double murder case

22 Sep 2026 | 7:45 PM

Akola, Sep 22 (UNI): In a significant verdict, the Akola District and Sessions Court today sentenced a man to death for the brutal murder of his estranged wife and nine-year-old daughter in a case that shocked the city.

see more..

Maha: Mumbai Crime Branch examines CCTV in IIT-B student death case, professor removed as dean

22 Sep 2026 | 7:39 PM

Mumbai, Sep 22 (UNI) The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police is examining CCTV footage from the IIT Bombay campus as part of its investigation into the death of second-year B.Tech student Sahil Ravindra Wakode, whose parents have alleged caste-based harassment and mental torture.

see more..

Maha: Muslim activists oppose Save India Save Shariat Campaign, call for focus on gender justice & equality

22 Sep 2026 | 6:57 PM

Mumbai, Sep 22 (UNI) Muslim activists, intellectuals and women’s rights advocates have opposed the nationwide Save India Save Shariat campaign launched by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, arguing that the campaign could contribute to political polarisation and that reforms concerning Muslim personal law should focus on gender justice, equality and human rights.

see more..

Maha: HC's Nagpur Bench pulls up NMC over bulldozer action guidelines

22 Sep 2026 | 6:38 PM

Nagpur, Sep 22 (UNI) The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has questioned the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC)'s claim that its officials were unaware of the Supreme Court's detailed guidelines governing demolition and "bulldozer" actions, observing that the civic body could have easily accessed the apex court's orders through its official website or sought legal advice before undertaking such actions.

see more..

Anant Nag dedicates Dadasaheb Phalke honour to Karnataka, colleagues and audiences

22 Sep 2026 | 6:30 PM

Parwinder Sandhu
Kevadia, Sep 22 (UNI) For a generation that grew up watching Malgudi Days, veteran actor Anant Nag has long been more than a familiar face on screen. On Tuesday, that association acquired another landmark chapter when the veteran actor was presented with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat.

see more..