Sharad Pawar calls financial help for rain-hit farmers 'meagre'

NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar said on Friday the financial assistance announced by the Maharashtra government for farmers affected by the recent heavy rains in Marathwada is inadequate and will not help them recover their losses reported news agency PTIHe was speaking to reporters in BaramatiCalamities occur but it is the responsibility of those in power to help the affected farmers Recently the state government announced some meagre help but considering the magnitude of the damage caused by the rains farmers feel that it will not be sufficient for them to stand on their feet again As a result they are unhappy with the government Pawar said reported PTIThe NCP SP leader said he did not want to politicise the issue but genuinely felt that everyone should make efforts to help affected farmersBut the government is not extending adequate assistance which is why our organisation has decided not to celebrate todays day he said referring to Vasubaras which marks the beginning of the Diwali festivities On this day people worship cows and calves reported PTIHeavy rainfall and floods in September severely affected Marathwada in central Maharashtra and adjoining regionsLast week the state government announced a compensation package of Rs 31628 crore for farmers who suffered massive losses due to rains and floodsIt included compensation for crop losses life and property soil erosion direct financial support to farmers concessions generally extended in droughtlike conditions hospitalisation expenses ex gratia damage to houses shops and cattle shedsCommenting on the Oppositions allegations of irregularities in the voters list for the Bihar elections Pawar said their alliance partners in the eastern state are unhappy as power is being misusedThere are some issues with the voters list and the opposition has conveyed its concerns to the Election Commission he added reported PTIPawar family not to celebrate Diwali this year SuleMeanwhile NCP SP working president Supriya Sule on Thursday said the Pawar family has decided not to celebrate the Diwali festival this yearOur aunt Bharati Prataprao Pawar passed away recently She was like a mother to all of us Therefore we the entire Pawar family have collectively decided not to celebrate this years Diwali the Lok Sabha member said in a post on XThe annual Diwali celebrations and the programme of meeting relatives on the occasion of Diwali Padva at Govindbag in Punes Baramati area will also not be held this year said Sule who is the daughter of NCP SP chief Sharad PawarBharati Pawar 77 wife of Sharad Pawars younger brother Prataprao Pawar passed away in March this yearWith inputs from PTI