States » WestPosted at: Oct 20 2026 8:56PM


Maha: Sena (UBT) MLA Kailas Patil rips into Mahayuti govt over Rs ₹5,000 drought relief

Mumbai, Oct 20 (UNI) In a direct attack on the Maharashtra government, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MLA from Dharashiv, Kailas Patil, today termed the state’s Rs 5,000 drought relief package a "cruel joke" on suffering farmers.
Addressing the party's traditional Dasara Melawa at the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan (Shivtirtha) here, Patil challenged the ruling dispensation to celebrate Diwali on Rs 5,000 before offering such a meagre sum to distressed cultivators.
"Farmers in drought-affected areas are enduring immense suffering. This government, sitting in multi-crore bungalows, does not understand the value of Rs 5,000 for a struggling household. I challenge this 'Mindhe' government and its leaders to celebrate their own Diwali within Rs 5,000 and then tell the farmers to manage with this advance," the Dharashiv legislator said.
Patil accused the state administration of delaying crucial assistance while making misleading claims about relief packages. He pointed out that two overdue installments under the Namo Shetkari Maha Samman Nidhi scheme—totalling Rs 4,000 per farmer—have been held up by the government for several months.
"You use the photographs of leaders whom you call 'Vishwaguru' to seek votes, yet you fail to honour the schemes launched in their name. The government has withheld Rs 4,000 in legitimate dues owed to farmers, and is now drumming up publicity about giving a Rs 5,000 advance. First credit their pending Rs 4,000 into their bank accounts before making tall claims," he demanded.
Refuting the general perception among urban citizens that agriculture is tax-free, Patil presented detailed accounting on the tax burden borne by cultivators.
"There is a widespread misconception in cities that farmers pay no taxes. In reality, a farmer pays heavy Goods and Services Tax (GST) to both the Centre and State on every input—from fertilizers and pesticides to farm equipment and seeds—from birth until death," Patil said.
Raising structural economic concerns, the Sena (UBT) leader questioned the denial of tax benefits to agricultural producers.
"Big industrialists and business houses receive Input Tax Credit (ITC) on the raw materials they use for manufacturing. A farmer is also a producer. Why then is the Annadata denied Input Tax Credit while corporate houses get GST refunds?" he asked.
Patil further reminded the government of its unfulfilled campaign promises made ahead of the 2024 elections.
"In the 2024 election manifesto, an explicit promise was made that the state government would refund the State GST (SGST) collected on agricultural products back to the farmers. Why is the government silent on that commitment today?" Patil questioned, demanding immediate implementation of tax refunds and full payout of delayed agricultural subsidies.
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