While the Maharashtra government is bracing itself for the Make in India week extravaganza, the Nationalist Congress Party has said termed the expenditure being made on the week-long event unnecessary. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said that apart from Make in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also showcase farmer suicides before the world leaders.

Mr Munde claimed that 189 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra in January and alleged the government is misguiding the courts by stating false numbers. “While the Prime Minister is coming here to inaugurate Make in India week, he also needs to showcase farmers’ suicides in Maharashtra to global leaders,” he said.

The NCP leader also alleged the Maharashtra government is ignoring serious drought the state is facing. “The CM had, on June 11, 2015, said he would chair a Cabinet meeting in Aurangabad and find a solution to the drought in Marathwada,” he said.

“Urban areas in Latur district have not been receiving drinking water for 20 days. Beed district (doesn’t receive water) for 15 days, while Parbhani district receives water once in eight days,” Mr Munde said.

Mumbai NCP president Sachin Ahir also claimed the BJP-government in Maharashtra was splurging crores of rupees on organising the Make in India week even as the state is reeling under acute drought conditions.

“The event is being held in a grand manner and around Rs 70 to Rs 80 crore are being spent on holding it in Mumbai. Splurging such an amount while the state is reeling under acute drought is a cruel mockery of people of Maharashtra,” Mr Ahir said.

The Make-in-India week will be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on January 13 and it will conclude on January 18.