'Don't lose heart, the government is with you': guardian minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale tours drought-hit Latur

Latur: Public works minister and Latur guardian minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale inspected drought and crop losses in the district on Saturday, October 10. At Shekapur in Udgir taluka he reviewed soybean losses with MLA Sanjay Bansode, and at Belsangvi in Jalkot taluka he inspected the tur and soybean crops. Cooperation minister Babasaheb Patil joined him at Mahadevwadi in Ahmedpur taluka and Ashta Mod in Chakur taluka, and he also spoke to farmers at Kolpa and Maharana Pratapnagar in Latur taluka.

Besides direct government aid for crop losses, the government will try to get farmers the maximum possible compensation from crop insurance companies, Bhosale said, and he urged farmers not to give up and take any extreme step. He told officials to keep a close watch on the records of crop insurance companies and to complete loss assessments quickly. A central team has spent the past two days inspecting Marathwada, and an announcement on aid will follow soon after it meets the chief minister, he said.

With water shortages expected, information is being gathered on borewells, old wells that can be repaired and other alternative sources, and the animal husbandry department has begun planning for fodder. The guardian minister said the zilla parishad's chief executive officer had been asked to put the waiver of students' examination fees into effect without delay.

Former minister and MLA Sanjay Bansode demanded that the government give farmers in Udgir and Jalkot talukas substantial financial aid immediately.

Sources: Pudhari; Esakal; Mahasamvad