Vijay Wadettiwar slams Maharashtra government over Kumbh Mela spending, farmers' distress

Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday criticised the Maharashtra government over its reported expenditure on the Kumbh Mela accusing it of prioritising largescale events over assistance to farmers struggling with drought and financial distressWadettiwar questioned the reported allocation of Rs 16 crore for flag hoisting and Rs 3 crore for a helipad arguing that the money could have been used to provide relief to distressed farmers ahead of DiwalildquoInstead of spending on illumination for the Kumbh Mela ensure that farmers have a better Diwalirdquo Wadettiwar saidHe alleged that the government had failed to announce a concrete assistance plan for farmers despite the worsening agricultural crisis in the state He also criticised the conditions imposed on farmers seeking financial aid including a requirement of at least 33 per cent crop lossWadettiwar questions Kumbh Mela expenditureThe Congress leader said farmers across Maharashtra were facing severe financial hardship due to drought while the government continued to spend crores of rupees on events associated with the Kumbh MelaHe questioned the reported expenditure on flag hoisting and a helipad saying the funds could have provided meaningful relief to farmersWadettiwar alleged that the government was more focused on organising events and gaining publicity on social media than addressing the crisis in the agricultural sectorHe also raised concerns over the number of farmer suicides in the state saying the government needed to take the issue seriouslyldquoAre the farmers who die by suicide not Hindusrdquo Wadettiwar askedThe Congress leader questioned why the government was allocating large sums for the Kumbh Mela but was unable to provide adequate assistance to farmers facing financial distressCongress questions assistance conditions for farmersWadettiwar criticised the requirement of at least 33 per cent crop loss for farmers to qualify for assistance saying the conditions imposed on relief were adding to their difficultiesHe also questioned the lack of a concrete plan to support farmers ahead of Diwali despite the state governments announcement of financial assistanceThe Maharashtra Cabinet had approved an advance payment of Rs 5000 each for eligible farmers in 304 droughtaffected talukas with a Rs 7500 crore allocation The assistance is intended for farmers whose crops have suffered more than 33 per cent damageThe Congress leader argued that the government should focus on ensuring that distressed farmers receive timely assistance rather than spending large sums on eventsWadettiwar backs Rahul Gandhi on electoral transparencyWadettiwar also defended Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhis efforts to raise concerns over the protection of the Constitution the functioning of democracy and transparency in the electoral processHe questioned why the Centre was uncomfortable with questions about the Election Commission changes to electoral rolls and amendments to Form No 6 which is used to apply for inclusion of a name in the electoral rollThe Congress leader said highlighting alleged irregularities in the electoral process was a democratic responsibility and did not amount to creating anarchyHe also raised questions about the functioning of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh KumarCongress leader calls for government accountabilityWadettiwar asserted that every citizen had the right to raise concerns over the protection of the Constitution and democratic institutionsHe said the government should respond to questions about the electoral process rather than criticise those raising themldquoInstead of blaming those who ask questions the government should answer themrdquo Wadettiwar said