Uddhav Thackeray could have sought details of farmers' aid from me: Eknath Khadse

MUMBAI: Hitting out at Uddhav Thackeray over his statement that farmers in drought-affected areas are not getting sanctioned financial aid, state Agriculture Minister Eknath Khadse today said he would have provided all facts regarding the disbursal had the Shiv Sena president sought details from him.

"If Uddhav Thackeray had sought details of the financial assistance being provided (to farmers), I would have given all details," Khadse said.

Thackeray, who toured drought-hit areas in Marathwada recently, had yesterday said that the sanctioned financial assistance was not reaching affected farmers.

Khadse said that 1.37 crore agriculturists have opened their bank accounts under Prime Minister's "Jan Dhan Yojana" and that the financial assistance is being directly deposited in the bank accounts of the farmers concerned.

"This procedure is being followed in the last eight months," Khadse said.

The minister said the Centre has provided an assistance of Rs 1600 crore as part of the drought relief measures in last one year.

"Under the Disaster Relief Fund, Rs 920 crore has already been given to the state," Khadse said, adding that he had requested Union government to release the balance of nearly Rs 3000 crore out of the total package of Rs 4000 crore without delay.