New CM clears Rs 5,000 crore for farmers

MUMBAI: In the midst of the continuing political drama in the state, Devendra Fadnavis, sworn in as

CM

early on Saturday morning, took charge on Monday.


The first decision he took after resuming office was to restart the CM’s relief fund cell, which provides financial assistance to poor patients. The cell shut on November 12, the day President’s rule was imposed in the state.

Fadnavis signed a cheque of Rs 1.2 lakh from the fund for Kusum Vegurlekar, who is being treated for cancer at Dhanwantri Hospital in Dadar.

TOI had reported that scores of patients and their relatives would gather at Mantralaya in the hope of financial assistance after the cell was shut. Many had said the cell was their only hope to complete medical treatment.

Later, Fadnavis sanctioned Rs 5,380 crore from the state’s contingency fund as relief to

farmers

hit by unseasonal rainfall in the state. This amount is in addition to first instalment of Rs 2,059 crore cleared last week. According to state estimates, crop losses due to unseasonal rains in October total around Rs 8,200 crore.

He then chaired a meeting to discuss the proposed ‘Climate Resilience Improvement and Flood and Drought Management Program’ with World Bank representatives. He directed the proposal be placed for cabinet clearance. “World Bank will spend Rs 3,500 crore on the project out of which Rs 350 crore is for technical assistance,” said Fadnavis. The programme includes diversion of floodwater to drought-prone areas. A discussion was also held on ‘Smart Village’, a project to provide 20 lakh farmers with better opportunities by connecting with corporates.