Congress leaders meet Maharashtra Governor; demand special session on drought

MUMBAI: A delegation of Congress leaders from Maharashtra led by former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil today RPT today met Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and demanded convening of a special session of the State Legislature to discuss the drought situation in the State.

The 12-member delegation also presented a memorandum to the Governor, in which the opposition party said there is shortage of drinking water supply in the drought hit areas.

"Inadequate fodder and water for cattle is also a serious issue. There is no employment for farm labourers due to which they are migrating to cities. There is migration by farmers as well. Over 1800 farmers have committed suicide," they told the Governor.

The leaders requested Rao to convene an emergency special Legislature session to discuss the drought situation, which is more serious than the 1972 drought.

"For last three years, the state is reeling under drought and due to insufficient rains this year, a severe drought is looming over Maharashtra, specially Marathwada region," they said.

Former MPCC Chief Manikrao Thakre, former ministers Padmakar Walvi, Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan and Nitin Raut, legislators Bhai Jagtap, Sanjay Dutt, spokespersons Ratnakar Mahajan and Sachin Sawant were among those present.