Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said his government will ensure concrete assistance to the state’s farmers and also announced more help rain hit farmers .
In the first meeting of the new cabinet at Sahyadri Guest House in south Mumbai Thackeray said the first decision of the cabinet was to approve Rs 20 crore in funds for the conservation of the Raigad Fort.
Thackeray said he has asked officials, including the state’s chief secretary, to give him complete information on state and central schemes for farmers within the next two days. “Once I get all the details, I will take a decision accordingly,” he said.
“We can paint a better picture if we know the reality. We have sought inputs. Farmers have not got anything, but only assurances. We want to provide concrete help to farmers,” he told reporters after the meeting.
“We want to ensure an atmosphere in the state wherein nobody will feel terrorised,” he said.
At the media briefing, Thackeray was accompanied by his cabinet colleagues Chhagan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil, Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut.Patil.
The newly formed government, amid initial protests from the Sena, has promised to uphold secular values in the state. It also talks about an immediate loan waiver for Maharashtra’s farmers, a new law to ensure 80% reservation in jobs for Maharashtra locals, Re 1 health clinics in all talukas and a Rs 10 thali to provide affordable food to people.
“The alliance partners commit to uphold the secular values enshrined in the Constitution. On contentious issue of national importance as well as of state importance especially having repercussions/consequences on the secular fabric of the nation, the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress will take a joint view after holding consultations and arriving at a consensus,” reads the preamble of the four-page document signed by signed by Uddhav, Patil and Thorat.
