10 September,2026 06:34 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Congress Chief Harshvardhan Sapkal (File pic)
Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Thursday demanded that the state government immediately declare drought in view of the worsening condition of farmers and provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare.
Addressing the media at Navin Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, State Congress chief Sapkal alleged that farmers across the state were facing severe difficulties due to erratic rainfall, delayed sowing, and prolonged dry spells but claimed that the Mahayuti government was not taking adequate measures to address the situation.
Sapkal also criticised the Maharashtra government over its alleged expenditure of Rs 300 crore on CCTV cameras during the Kumbh Mela, questioning why similar urgency was not being shown in providing assistance to farmers.
Sapkal said the Kharif season is crucial for Maharashtra's farmers and alleged that excessive rainfall initially disrupted sowing, while the absence of rain for nearly a month had subsequently damaged crops.
Maharashtra Congress Sapkal chief highlighted, "Whatever was sown has not grown, and whatever has grown has withered."
Sapkal also alleged that the government should have considered measures such as artificial rain following the heavy rainfall and should now prepare a comprehensive plan to deal with the situation.
The Congress leader also called for arrangements for fodder and drinking water for livestock, warning that the government should ensure that no deaths occur due to the prevailing conditions.
Sapkal demanded that farmers be provided compensation according to the criteria prescribed by the Central government and reiterated his call for Rs 50,000 per hectare in immediate assistance.
Sapkal, while speaking to the media in New Delhi, also criticised the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), alleging that lakhs of students preparing for competitive examinations were suffering because of repeated instances of alleged mismanagement and paper leaks.
He said that a large number of aspirants from rural and ordinary families prepare for MPSC examinations with the aim of securing government jobs but alleged that irregularities were damaging their prospects.
According to Sapkal, students have taken to the streets seeking answers over alleged paper leaks and other problems, but the administration of the commission has not improved.
The Congress state president demanded the resignation of the MPSC chairman and secretary while calling for strict punishment for those involved in paper leaks.
Slamming the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Harshvardhan Sapkal also targeted the state government over the Pune land scam case, demanding that a case be registered against NCP MP Parth Pawar.
Sapkal questioned why a case had not been filed against Pawar and called upon Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to respond to questions raised by the court in connection with the matter.
Sapkal alleged that Parth Pawar was the "main mastermind" behind the alleged land scam and demanded that a case be registered against him.
The Congress leader also questioned the Chief Minister's handling of the issue, arguing that since Fadnavis had himself brought the matter to public attention, he should now respond to the court's questions.
The allegations and demands made by Sapkal come as the Maharashtra government faces opposition criticism on multiple fronts, including the condition of farmers, competitive examination management, and the handling of the Pune land controversy.
