MVA slams Maha govt for delays in naming district Guardian Ministers

Mumbai, Sep 12

Amid reports of widespread havoc in farmlands and the delays in District Planning & Development Council meetings, Maharashtra's opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Monday attacked the state government, demanding the appointment of Guardian Ministers for various districts.

"Many regions of Maharashtra have received heavy rainfall during the monsoon causing widespread losses to agriculture. The dams and water reservoirs are also overflowing and water is being discharged, causing further damage to crops," Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said.

Targetting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, he said its over two months since the new government came to power and more than a month since ministers were sworn-in and allocated portfolios.

"So far, Guardian Ministers have not been appointed for the 36 districts. This must be done without any further delays. The DPDC meetings are chaired by the Guardian Minister and they are directly responsible for all issues pertaining to their respective districts," Pawar demanded.

The Congress too slammed the Shinde-Fadnavis government for stopping funds to all sanctioned works from April onwards creating huge chaos at the ground level in the absence of Guardian Ministers.

Shiv Sena's farmer face Kishore Tiwari said that he has been touring the floor-ravaged regions of Vidarbha (eastern Maharashtra) since the past few days and witnesses the growing agrarian distress.

"This year, there have been a record number of farmers' suicides in the state yet the local administration has not bothered to reach out the people and ensure that aid reaches them. Without Guardian Ministers, the aggrieved farmers have nobody to approach, and the Opposition is trying to air their plight," said Tiwari.

Since the past fortnight, Maharashtra has been lashed by heavy rains in several regions resulting in waterlogging or flooding of orchards and farmlands and consequently farmers have complained of losses in many areas, especially Vidarbha and Marathwada districts.

Last month, a delegation of opposition leaders including Congress state President Nana Patole had called on Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari urging him to declare a "wet-drought" in the worst-hit regions.