Why can’t politicians provide financial assistance to farmers instead of playing politics over drought issue asks Mumbaikars.
Actors Nana Patekar and Makarand Anaspure have come forward to provide financial assistance to the farmers of drought hit Marathwada region. For taking this mission forward, they have established the Nam Foundation. This institution will play a vital role for providing relief to distressed farmers. Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has donated Rs 5 lakh to the Chief Minister Drought Relief Fund to help struggling farmers in Maharashtra. Rahane had said that he was inspired to donate the money because of his 92-year-old grandmother who works in farm.
Considering the worsening situation in the Marathwada region, Akshay Kumar has pledged an amount of Rs 90 lakh for the families of drought affected farmers who’ve committed suicide. This amount will be disbursed over the period of next six months. Around 80 per cent of cultivable land in Maharashtra is rain-fed, has been reporting more drought-affected areas than any other state for the last four years.
When celebrities are helping farmers why can’t the government perform similar tasks? The Fadnavis government has already received flak for ignoring the interest of farmers and concentrating more on irrelevant issues like meat ban. The NCP already had organised Jail Bharo Aandolan to highlight the failure of the government to resolve the drought crisis.
Nana Patekar said, “Those who are interested can help farmers by associating themselves with Nam foundation. Nam has opened a bank account where people can send their contribution to farmers. The institution will also provide updates to contributors about how their money is being used for developmental work for ensuring transparency. I would also like to thank Ajinkya Rahane for helping farmers in the hour of crisis.”
“We are providing Rs 15,000 to the families of farmers who have committed suicide. Today a tea vendor has come forward and contributed Rs 2,000 for the welfare of Marathwada farmers. Such type of initiative will go a long way to motivate others to do something for farmers. Every contribution matters as it can save lives of farmers and provide them source of livelihood” he added.
“My grandmother is around 92 years old and she still goes to the farm and works hard. It is her passion. She can’t sit idle. She inspired me. My uncle also works in the farm the whole day. So I felt that I should do something for the farmers who are going through a very tough time right now,” Rahane said.
Arjun Deshmukh, a Thane resident said, “Politicians only think about farmers before election. They always try to derive political mileage by raising the drought issue and organising protests. Why can’t they provide assistance to farmers instead of playing politics over this issue? It’s time for them to act and not speak.”
Sunil Seth, a Borivali resident said, “If actors and cricketers can come forward to help the drought affected farmers why can’t the state government take this initiative? Politicians only debate over this issue as farmers continue to face hardships.”
Nana Patekar and Makrand Anaspure distributed cheques of financial aid to as many as 113 families of farmers from Latur and Osmanabad districts of Marathwada, who have committed suicides, owing to drought and indebtedness. He wants top Maharashtra leaders to come together to face the challenge posed by drought as no single party can tackle it alone.
Patekar urged people to refrain from depositing money in any other account. The contributions can be deposited in the following account number.
SBI
- 35226127148
- – IFC Code No.
SBIN 0006319 - – Swift Code No.
SBININBB238
The Lalbaug cha Raja which is the premier Ganesh Mandal in Mumbai donated Rs 25 lakh towards drought relief for the Chief Minister’s fund.
