Maharashtra govt's lack of planning leading to massive migration from drought-hit areas, says Chavan

Mumbai: The BJP-led government’s lack of planning in Maharashtra is leading to massive migration of people from drought-affected areas, former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said today. [caption id=“attachment_2657424” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] “The government has not taken any effective measures to tackle the severe drought in Marathwada and various parts of the state,” Chavan said, participating in a debate on motion of thanks for the Governor’s address to the joint sitting of the Legislature held on 9 March. He added that at least Rs one-lakh crore should have been given as relief to farmers battling drought. The attack on policemen by a mob at Pangaon in Latur and similar instances in some other places show how badly the government has performed on the law and order front, he said. Chavan was also critical of the Devendra Fadnavis government’s ‘accomplishments’ during the ‘Make In India Week’ held in Mumbai. “We celebrated ‘Make In India Week’ and the state bore humiliation due to fire on stage at the cultural event,” he said. “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had to show Prime Minister Narendra Modi that how such a grand event was organised,” he said, adding that Rs 25 crore were spent on it. Chavan pointed out to the contradiction between the figures claimed by the central and state government. “The PIB press release says we signed Rs 15 lakh crore worth MoUs. Maharashtra government published full page ads in newspapers claiming Rs 7.94 lakh crore MoUs were signed. The Governor’s speech said the figure was over Rs 8 lakh crore,” Chavan said. “The PIB release said 30 lakh jobs will be created in the country, but the state government also claimed that 30 lakh jobs will be created in the state,” he said. “The government should make public information on all MoUs and how much investment each one entailed, Chavan said. “Please don’t mislead people. On one hand, the Aurangabad commissioner says there is no water remaining to supply to industries and on the other, you (government) claim massive investments will come in these areas,” he said. “We have been greatly disappointed by the governor’s address,” he added. PTI