Following the Union Budget, which focused on rural areas, the Maharashtra government has also decided to shed its “suit boot ki sarkaar” tag and project itself as pro-farmer.
Following the Union Budget, which focused on rural areas, the Maharashtra government has also decided to shed its “suit boot ki sarkaar” tag and project itself as pro-farmer. All state ministers will travel to drought-affected areas on March 4 by train. However, the ministers will not be taking tours of draught-affected areas as reported earlier, but will be only holding review meetings with the officials.
Maharashtra housing minister Prakash Mehta, who will visit Washi taluka in Osmanabad district, confirmed that all the ministers will be traveling to draught affected areas of Marathwada region on the same day. “Earlier, the government was contemplating allowing the ministers to plan their trips as per their convenience. However, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis made it clear in today’s (Tuesday) cabinet meeting that all ministers will visit their assigned areas on the same day that is March 4. All of us will go by train and come by train,” Mr Mehta said.
When asked why the ministers would be traveling by train as they can also fly, a less time-consuming means of transportation, Mr Mehta said, “It would not look appropriate for government representatives to visit drought-stricken areas in planes and helicopters.”
A committee of senior ministers, which also included revenue minister Eknath Khadse, Vinod Tawde and Diwakar Raote, has chalked out a plan for all the ministers. As per the plan, the ministers will hold meetings with the officials of their concerned areas to take review of existing drought relief schemes being implemented, difficulties faced in their implementation and further requirements. Thereafter, the ministers will also meet local MLAs and representatives of NGOs to know their views and in the evening they will interact with the local BJP cadre. Finally, the chief minister will hold a meeting of all ministers, who will give their feedback and decisions will be taken on new steps to be taken by the government to provide relief to drought-affected farmers.
“We may also decide to plan visits of ministers to drought-affected areas if needed,” Mr Mehta said.
Buoyed by the positive reviews received for the Union Budget for being rural-friendly budget, some of the provisions that are especially beneficial for Maharashtra will find mention in the state home minister’s budget speech also. Maharashtra finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar will present the budget in the state legislature on March 18. “It has been decided that an analysis of how much funds the state will get from the Union Budget will be incorporated in the budget speech of the state finance minister,” Mr Mehta said.
