Pawar meets CM, demands aid for Cyclone Nisarga-hit Konkan

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday demanded a slew of relief measures for the people affected by Cyclone Nisarga in coastal Konkan region in his meeting with chief minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday.

While Pawar expressed satisfaction with the relief package announced so far for immediate assistance, the NCP chief said much more needs to be done to remedy the situation, said a senior leader present at the meeting.

The meeting was held at the old mayor’s bungalow in Dadar and was attended by Thackeray, Pawar along with a few senior ministers and leaders from Konkan region belonging to both the NCP and Shiv Sena.

“He [Pawar] said fishermen are yet to get any relief from the state and added they are badly affected by the natural calamity. He also said farmers need money to clear debris accumulated on

farm land and orchards following cyclone. Pawar also suggested implementing employment guarantee scheme (EGS) for farmers who have lost everything,” said a leader who attended the meeting.

Cyclone Nisarga affected coastal Konkan severely with preliminary estimates showing damages to crops across more

than 22,650 hectares.

“We had a comprehensive discussion, and are hoping the state government will come out with more decisions to provide relief to the affected people,” NCP MP Sunil Tatkare told reporters after the meeting. Pawar is also likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.