Why did Vishnu Sawra distribute rain coats to tribal children at a time when monsoon season has ended asks Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.
Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil  and other social activists expressed their displeasure over Tribal Welfare Minister Vishnu Sawra’s decision to distribute rain coats to children after the end of monsoon season. Patil said that instead of addressing the issue of tribal children’s death due to malnutrition deaths Sawra is distributing freebies to lure voters ahead of the Muncipal Corporation and zilla elections. When children had demanded sweaters from Sawra as winter season is just round the corner he replied that monsoon season is not over yet. On the other hand, the Meteorological department has already announced that monsoon has withdrawn from the state.
Vikhe-Patil Patil said, “What is the need of rain coats at a time when monsoon has ended? These rain coats definitely won’t be useful for children this year as rainy season has come to an end. Already the Dussehra festival has concluded. Sawra must be honoured for distributing rain coats to children nine months ahead of the next monsoon season. We are planning to honour him in the forthcoming winter session of state assembly.”
“If Sawra is an expert in predicting about monsoon season then he must quit the Tribal Welfare department and join the meteorological department. Anyways Sawra has already received flak for his inability to address the malnourishment issue,” he added.
AAP leader and social activist Ravi Srivastava said, “Mr Sawra has indulged in a stupid act. Pankaja Munde too is responsible for malnutrition deaths of tribal children. She should have looked into this matter. Both leaders should work for the welfare of tribals.”
Senior Advocate and social activist Abha Singh said, “Why did Mr Sawra distribute rain coats when rainy season has come to an end? Instead he could have provided food and medicines to tribal children.”
Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said, “What is the need for distributing rain coats when rainy season has ended. Through this act he is only trying to garner publicity.”
While donating raincoats Sawra had worn black googles to prevent heat exhaustion. However, he has turned a blind eye towards the problem faced by tribal children which is unjustified.
Last month, Sawra had received flak for making irresponsible comments after the death of tribal children in Palghar district. He had faced the anger of a tribal woman whose two-year-old son died two months ago apparently due to severe malnutrition in Palghar district, the video of which went viral on social media.
Earlier Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil had castigated Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his “inability” to sack Vishnu Sawra despite the Bombay High Court’s observations regarding the government’s handling of malnutrition and infant deaths.
