Mumbai: The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has alleged that state government is hiding its failure in providing relief to drought-affected farmers by giving the excuse of the model code of conduct (MCC).

NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said that since December 2018, though a drought had been declared, relief has not been provided to farmers. Mr Pawar would hold a meeting with all MLAs, MLCs and prominent office-bearers of his party at Y.B. Chavan Centre over the drought situation on Saturday.  

Mr Malik said that Mr Pawar would chair the meeting over drought situation. He would guide all the legislators and office bearers how to help the farmers in the drought affected areas.   

Mr Malik said, “The government had already declared drou-ght in December 2018, after the poll, when our leader Mr Pawar had gone to visit the drought affected areas. The chief minister had written a letter to

Election Commission of India (ECI) to relax the MCC for the drought.”   

“What is the point of seeking relaxation of MCC for drought as the government had declared drought in 151 tehsil 2018?” Mr Malik asked.  

He also alleged that the district administration was not working to provide relief to drought-affected farmers, despite of the Government Resolution (GR) being issued for drought relief.  

“The government wants to hide its failure under the garb of MCC,” the NCP leader added.  

Mr Pawar had kicked-off the drought affected areas after casting his vote on April 29 in Mumbai. He had gone on his drought tourto Solapur and Osmanabad districts.  

The state government had already admitted that the drought situation would deteriorate later in May.

However, it also claimed that the supply of water to drought-affected areas and the amount of fodder, which is to be supplied to cattle would not be reduced.