States » WestPosted at: Oct 21 2026 7:03PM


Rohit Pawar calls for focus on drought, demands financial aid for farmers and rural workers

Parbhani, Oct 21 (UNI) NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar urged political leaders to stop trading allegations and counter-allegations and instead focus on the drought situation, the mounting distress in rural areas and measures to revive the rural economy.
Rather than engaging in political criticism, the government should concentrate on the hardships faced by farmers, agricultural labourers, women and students, Pawar said, stressing that immediate financial assistance and practical relief measures were necessary to address the crisis.
"Instead of allegations and counter-allegations, it is important to discuss the drought. We are currently focusing on this issue. What one leader has said about another is less important than the fact that farmers, agricultural labourers and the rural economy are facing serious difficulties," he said.
Pawar called on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the state government to translate their support for farmers into concrete financial assistance rather than dedicating political rallies or public programmes to them.
He demanded financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per hectare for farmers and Rs 25,000 for agricultural labourers.
He also called for a loan waiver for women facing financial difficulties after borrowing through self-help groups, along with the waiver of educational loans taken by students and cancellation of their annual fees.
The government must stand firmly behind farmers, agricultural labourers and the rural economy, Pawar said.
Expressing concern over the worsening rural crisis, Pawar warned that nearly 40 per cent of the population in affected areas could migrate from villages to cities if the situation continued to deteriorate.
He pointed out that farmers were being forced to sell livestock at distress prices because of the scarcity of fodder and water. Animals that would normally fetch between Rs 80,000 and Rs 1 lakh were reportedly being sold for around Rs 40,000, he said.
The issue of migration is extremely serious and requires urgent attention, he said, reiterating his demand for Rs 1 lakh per hectare for farmers and Rs 25,000 for agricultural labourers.
Pawar also called for an increase in drinking water supplies. While the government was providing 20 litres of water per person in some areas, he said the supply should be increased to 40 litres per person.
Separate arrangements must also be made to provide water for livestock.
He stressed the need to ensure the availability of fodder through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. "If the government fails to take timely measures, the crisis affecting rural areas could eventually create similar difficulties in urban areas as well," he cautioned.
Responding to a question about a possible regime change, Pawar alleged that an undeclared emergency prevailed in the country and in Maharashtra.
He questioned the functioning of the police and the state of law and order, alleging that constitutional principles were being undermined and that farmers, agricultural labourers, students and women were facing injustice.
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