Mumbai, Oct 9 (NationPress) Shiv Sena(UBT) has accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government of mocking the "Baliraja (farmers)" in the state under the pretense of a relief package totaling Rs 31,628 crore, labeling the figures as substantial yet "fake" and a "cruel joke".

Referring to the package as “nonsense”, the Thackeray faction criticized the state government in its editorial for "manipulating numbers" while farmers are reeling from devastating rains and floods.

“Similar to the Ladki Bahin Yojana, what other welfare initiatives will be compromised due to this package? What of the central government's financial support? Why the hesitance from state leaders? And what about the loan waivers? These queries remain unanswered by this state government's dubious package,” it argued.

In response to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's assertion of delivering a considerable package for flood-affected farmers, the editorial remarked that "flashing figures may seem appealing, but in reality, it's all a deceit".

While referencing the Chief Minister’s promise that this aid would reach farmers by Diwali, the Thackeray camp asserted that farmers will instead experience a bleak Diwali, contemplating their destroyed farms and families.

“If the government genuinely aimed to brighten farmers' Diwali, it should have disclosed this 'package' earlier. This announcement resembles a pattern of 'grand figures, deceptive aid'. With the government’s finances dwindling, when and how will it manage to procure this Rs 31,628 crore? Until then, how will farmers and their families endure? How will they celebrate Diwali?” it questioned.

The editorial emphasized that the government’s numerical manipulation will not resolve the challenges faced by the flood-stricken farmers. “The government states that Rs 3 lakh will be allocated to farmers whose land has been washed away through 'NREGA' and Rs 47,000 per hectare as cash compensation. They have presented impressive 'figures', yet the actual situation on the ground tells a different story. Approximately 60,000 acres of land have been lost. Restoring the quality of the eroded land will necessitate filling silt in the dams, a task that won’t commence until at least April. So, should farmers merely wait and watch their eroded crops? When will the 'NREGA' compensation of Rs 3 lakh, as assured by the Chief Minister, actually be dispensed to the farmers? These questions linger, especially since funds for this scheme are rarely disbursed on time from the Central government,” it stated.

The editorial noted that out of the Rs 31,628 crore package, Rs 10,000 crore is earmarked for infrastructure development, which has turned into a method of enriching contractors under the guise of aiding farmers. This package also encompasses Rs 2,200 crore of previously announced financial assistance, indicating that the government has engaged in a 'numbers game' here as well, with the distribution of that aid still uncertain.

The Thackeray camp highlighted that the government declared an aid of Rs 563 crore for the flood-impacted Nanded district, but only Rs 173 crore has been allocated thus far. They questioned the sluggish distribution of this aid, stating that at this rate, when will the funds from the Rs 31,628 crore actually reach the farmers?

“Will it suffice to cover farmers' basic production costs? The production cost per acre for a crop like soybean hovers around Rs 14,000, while the announced aid stands at Rs 18,000 per hectare. Given that one hectare is equivalent to two and a half acres, the total production cost amounts to Rs 35,000, and the government aid is merely Rs 18,000, which is less than half of the required amount. Even if we accept the Chief Minister's assertion that no one can deliver complete compensation, the aid of only 30-40 percent of the damages represents a cruel joke. In such circumstances, how and when will the government gather Rs 31,628 crore and provide it to the farmers?” the party concluded in its mouthpiece.