Mumbai, Sep 27 (NationPress) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray urged the Maharashtra administration on Saturday to swiftly implement a full farm loan waiver and offer financial support of Rs 50,000 per hectare to farmers affected by the severe floods and heavy rains in Marathwada and other regions of the state.

“I implore Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on behalf of the farmers to relieve them of their debts and announce this assistance immediately, ensuring timely distribution. The notices sent by banks for loan recovery must be halted,” he stated during a press conference.

Thackeray expressed strong disapproval of the state government's procrastination in aiding those impacted by the calamity.

He emphasized the necessity of prompt government action to help farmers rebuild their lives, as the torrential rains and floods have caused extensive damage in Marathwada, with further destruction likely if the rains continue.

Thackeray criticized the government for its “delayed and insufficient response,” mentioning that the current aid of Rs 7,000-8,000 per hectare is inadequate for restoring agricultural land that has become uncultivable. “How can farmers burdened with debt repay their loans? A complete loan waiver is essential,” he asserted.

He condemned the BJP-led MahaYuti government, claiming that farmers have not received the Rs 14,000 crore assistance promised in the past two to three years. He also noted that the 2017 loan waiver during the previous Fadnavis administration was not executed. Maharashtra should adopt the Punjab model and provide Rs 50,000 per hectare in aid, as the losses incurred by farmers this year cannot be compensated for over the next several years,” he emphasized.

Recalling his time as Chief Minister, Thackeray highlighted that the Maha Vikas Aghadi government implemented a farm loan waiver as soon as it took office in 2019. “In times of crisis, we took swift action. I do not intend to politicize this issue, but if advocating for farmers' rights is viewed as political, so be it,” he remarked.

He noted, “Reports of farmer suicides emerge daily. During my visits to villages in Marathwada, I encountered a household where a 31-year-old man took his life, leaving behind a 15-day-old infant, all due to a debt of Rs 2 lakh.”

Targeting CM Fadnavis for his recent village visit, Thackeray accused him of dismissing a farmer's question regarding relief by saying, “don’t engage in politics,” after which the farmer faced police harassment.

“What kind of democracy are we living in? Why pursue a distressed farmer instead of offering assistance?” Thackeray questioned passionately.

“The situation is dire. Even today, rains continue in Marathwada. Standing crops have been destroyed, leaving farmers overwhelmed with debt. There is immense frustration as they lack guaranteed prices for their produce. Crops are now rotting, and farmers are pleading for survival, demanding the government to waive their loans and extend a lifeline,” he added.