States » WestPosted at: Oct 15 2026 12:08AM


Giving Rs 5000 To Farmers For Diwali Is Like Rubbing Salt On Their Wounds, Says Congress

Mumbai, Oct 14 (UNI) Maharashtra State Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal said on Wednesday that the Fadnavis government’s cabinet decision to give drought-hit farmers Rs 5000 before Diwali is like rubbing salt on their wounds.
Speaking at a public rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Sapkal said, “This decision is like rubbing salt on farmers' wounds. It is a cruel joke on farmers who are already suffering from drought. The BJP Mahayuti has a huge amount of money to buy and sell MLAs as well as MPs during elections. There is no shortage of money for industrialists either, but the government has no money only when it comes to farmers”.
Addressing the rally, Sapkal said that while farmers are facing natural disasters, they are also grappling with the crisis created by government policies.
“This year’s Kharif crop has been completely destroyed. Farmers have no hope of gaining anything from their crops. Whom should they turn to now? Farmers are hoping that their government will provide them with adequate assistance. But the governments in Mumbai and Delhi remain blind, mute and deaf to their plight,” Sapkal said.
Speaking at the rally, newly appointed Congress in-charge for Maharashtra Dr Sirivella Prasad said, “Farmer suicides are increasing, but the government is doing nothing for them. Adani and Ambani’s Rs 20 lakh crore of debt has been waived off, so why is the government not waiving off Rs 2 lakh rupees of farmers’ debt?”
Sapkal stated that this is the time to help drought-hit farmers and not to engage in politics, adding that farmers should receive financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per hectare without any discrimination.
“Immediate assistance should be provided without the formalities of any survey, damage assessments or study. All farmers’ debts must be completely waived off. Farm labourers should receive ex-gratia payments and MNREGA work should be initiated,” Sapkal said.
Sapkal stated that all educational fees for farmers' children should be waived off, state transport bus passes should be provided free of charge, fodder camps should be established for livestock, tankers should be provided for drinking water and harassment by moneylenders should be stopped.
Senior Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Balasaheb Thorat said the severity of the drought is alarming.
“The drought situation in Marathwada is even worse. The fodder and water situation is dire, and there is also a severe shortage of drinking water. The BJP Mahayuti is intoxicated with power, and corruption is on the rise. Only announcements are being made, but there is no action on the ground. This will no longer be tolerated,” Thorat said. UNI BA CDS
Tags: #Giving Rs 5000 To Farmers For Diwali Is Like Rubbing Salt On Their Wounds# Says Congress
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