Maharashtra ministers, MPs and MLAs on Saturday stoked controversy after a video of them eating dry fruits at a meeting convened to review the drought situation in Marathwada region went viral, with the opposition hitting out at the state government over its “insensitivity”.
Over 400 farmers died by suicide in the Marathwada region. The incident took place during a meeting chaired by agriculture minister Dattatray Bhame in Nanded, to discuss the worsening situation in Marathwada region due to deficient rainfall. “Farmers have lost their crops due to rain deficit, and are facing drinking water shortages too.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed the local administration is responsible for the arrangement of snacks but added that such matters during key meetings must be tackled with sensitivity. He added that the administration must show some sensitivity while making such arrangements. “No one would have made this mistake deliberately. Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat echoed similar sentiments. “It’s the fault of the administration.
As a video of ministers Atul Save and Meghna Bordikar, as well as MPs and MLAs, eating cashew nuts and almonds went viral, opposition leaders hit out at the state government over its “insensitive” act. In such situations, these leaders eating cashews and almonds shows their insensitivity towards the farmers and the drought situation,” said Ambadas Danve, legislator from Shiv Sena (UBT). Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, however, said the administration makes arrangements for the snacks to be served in government meetings. But the administration needs to show sensitivity while making arrangements in such situations,” he told mediapersons. We are facing criticisms for someone else’s mistakes,” he said.
