Sunetra Pawar assures direct support to drought-hit farmers; vows no one will be left behind

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Nanded, Sep 26 (IANS) In a direct interaction with drought-affected farmers during an on-site visit in Sonkhed village from Nanded district, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President, Sunetra Pawar, on Saturday assured affected families that the state government is taking strict note of crop damage and will not leave anyone stranded.

Speaking to a gathering of local farmers while inspecting dry and damaged crops hit due to scanty rainfall, Dy CM Pawar highlighted that government officials are actively conducting ground inspections to assess the situation directly rather than relying solely on official data or statistics.

She told the farmers that on-ground surveys (Panchnamas) are ongoing to evaluate actual ground conditions and crop losses. Reports will be finalised quickly to expedite government relief.

Addressing concerns over agricultural credit, Dy CM Pawar confirmed that loan waiver processes are underway, with funds being processed directly through banking channels based on individual loan categories.

“Funds will be directly credited into farmers’ bank accounts based on the specific type/category of loan they hold,” she said.

“State intervention will extend beyond crop damage. Special focus is being given to livestock care—including fodder and water supply—as well as managing education-related difficulties faced by farmers’ children due to financial stress,” she assured.

Emphasising her connection to the region as a daughter of Marathwada, Dy CM Pawar stated that she deeply understands the agrarian plight and assured farmers that the administration is treating their hardship with utmost gravity.

“I am a daughter of Marathwada. I intimately understand the pain and hardship of our farming community,” she reassured the growers.

“We will not abandon a single farmer to uncertainty. Ensuring quality education for your children, securing fodder for livestock, and supporting family livelihoods remain top-tier priorities for this administration,” she said.

Local farmers also brought forward urgent demands regarding local water infrastructure, requesting that nearby lakes and water storage facilities be filled to tackle the severe drought. Pawar reassured the crowd that the government stands firmly with them and that comprehensive relief announcements will follow as soon as field reports are submitted.

She urged farmers not to worry, reassuring them that the government will not leave anyone in the lurch. Dy CM Pawar confirmed that following her firsthand inspection, comprehensive follow-ups will be initiated at the state Cabinet level to roll out necessary relief packages and structural measures. She added that district administrative officials will be instructed immediately to execute thorough situational audits and deliver swift executive action.

Reaffirming the state government’s commitment amid volatile rainfall patterns, severe crop yield declines, and compounding financial pressure, she assured rural communities that the administration stands firmly behind Maharashtra’s agrarian sector.

Meanwhile, former Union Agriculture Minister and NCP SP President, Sharad Pawar, will lead a march in Solapur district to draw the state government’s attention for declaring drought and providing immediate relief to the farmers hit due to the agrarian crisis.

Further, Aaditya Thackeray is on a tour of Dharashiv, Solapur, and Nanded today, where he will interact with drought-affected farmers.

–IANS

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Officials said that a CRPF driver lost control of the wheel near Tangnar Doodpathri, the vehicle turned turtle and skidded into a deep gorge.

“In this incident, eight CPRF personnel and two SPOs were injured. All the injured have been shifted to the nearby hospital for treatment,” said an official.

He identified the injured personnel as Constable Shyam Balaji of 35 BN CRPF; Constable Vijay Shankar of 43 BN CRPF; Constable Akshay Bhagwat of 35 BN CRPF; Constable Jaykendra of 181 BN CRPF; Constable Prakash Jamatia of 25 BN CRPF; Constable Bikas Barman of 25 BN CRPF; Constable Rajiv of 35 BN CRPF; driver Ram Gopal of 75 BN CRPF; SPO Ferooz Ahmad and SPO Javid Ahmad.

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Doodpathri tourist resort is among the 48 tourist destinations closed for tourism in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, but the security forces are maintaining a dominating presence in Doodpathri and adjoining areas.

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The terror attack outraged the country as the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in his first reaction to the terror attack, said that the terrorists and their backers would he given such punishment they cannot even imagine.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a new high in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.

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TN to operate 10,245 special buses for Pongal festival from Jan 9-14

Chennai, Jan 7 (IANS) Ahead of the Pongal festival, Tamil Nadu Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar announced an extensive travel arrangement across the state, with thousands of additional buses being operated to ensure smooth and hassle-free movement of passengers during the festive season.

In an official statement, the Minister said that 10,245 special buses will be operated across the state between January 9 and January 14 to manage the expected surge in passenger traffic.

These special services, when combined with the 12,552 buses that are operated daily, will take the total number of buses on the roads during the festival period to 34,087.

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As many as 6,820 special buses will be operated in addition to 2,092 regular daily services. Including the usual 12,552 buses, a total of 21,635 buses will be run to handle the return flow of passengers.

Providing a date-wise breakup of the special bus services, the Minister said 1,050 buses will operate on January 9, a total of 1,030 buses on January 10, 255 buses on January 11, 2,200 buses on January 12, 2,790 buses on January 13, and 2,920 special buses on January 14.

Special bus operations will commence from January 9, taking into account early departures by passengers ahead of the main Pongal celebrations. The Transport Department has assured that all arrangements are in place to ensure safe, affordable, and convenient travel for the public during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

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Bailey bridge inaugurated to restore connectivity after Vikramshila Setu collapse in Bihar

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After the inauguration of the bridge, Bihar Minister Kumar Shailendra expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

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“These people worked in challenging circumstances to complete the project at the earliest,” he added.

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Mentioning that the construction work of the first bridge began on May 16, he said: “Within 20 days, around four bridges have been launched here. This was a special effort given the sweltering heat in the region.”

Sakhre hoped that the bridge would serve as a relief for the locals who had been facing difficulties since the collapse of the Vikramshila Setu.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vikas Kumar said that traffic movement on the bridge will begin from today itself.

“The phase when locals faced difficulties during this period, including travelling by boat and other hardships, has now come to an end,” the SDM told IANS.

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