Mumbai, Sep 23 (NationPress) In light of the devastating impact of severe rains leading to crop destruction, livestock losses, and soil erosion across various districts in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has urgently called on the Central government to allocate Rs 10,000 crore in financial support to farmers, disregarding existing regulations.

Thackeray emphasized that these funds should be directly credited into the bank accounts of the impacted farmers, insisting that financial institutions should not reroute loan payments from these accounts.

He urged the government to act swiftly, stating that there should be no delay in providing immediate financial relief to the agricultural community.

"First, ensure compensation is deposited into the farmers' accounts, and only then conduct the necessary inspections and assessments," Thackeray asserted.

He also proposed that financial assistance should extend to cover up to three hectares instead of the previously established two hectares, advocating for a more generous aid package.

"Rather than squandering resources on self-promotion, urgent assistance should be directed to the farmers affected by this disaster," Thackeray remarked.

His appeal comes at a time when many districts in the drought-prone Marathwada region are grappling with unprecedented rainfall and flooding, which have severely impacted the agricultural sector.

Farmers from Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Jalna, Nanded, Sambhajinagar, and beyond in the Marathwada area have been significantly affected and are in dire need of government intervention to navigate this crisis.

Thackeray pointed out the extensive damage to Khaira crops and the substantial challenges facing the upcoming Rabi season due to soil erosion.

"Livestock and infrastructure have been destroyed. How will agriculture in Marathwada recover from this devastation?" he questioned.

He reminded that during the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, various disasters, including droughts and cyclones, wreaked havoc on farmers, yet the Central government offered minimal assistance.

"While the government suggests that farmers should utilize AI for farming, no ministers or officials from the MahaYuti government have bothered to visit the rain-affected farms; they remain ensconced in their offices, offering online advice instead," Thackeray claimed.

He criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, suggesting they could have easily visited affected areas via helicopter, but seem to lack the will to do so.