Relief for rain-hit farmers soon: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

AURANGABAD: Chief minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said relief measures for farmers affected by heavy rain in Marathwada and other parts of the state will be announced soon after the ongoing panchanama process to assess the overall damage is completed.
He held a review meeting with different authorities in Aurangabad division on Sunday. Addressing the media, he said the panchanama process relating to the crop damage was still on in a few areas of Maharashtra and he will take the final call on the relief in the next two to three days once the picture is clear.
"Today (Sunday), I took stock of rain-related damage and associated panchanamas in Marathwada. The affected farmers are bound to help as per NDRF norms, but our Shiv Sena-BJP government will not leave them in a lurch. The policy decision regarding offering help to farmers will be taken in the next cabinet meeting soon," he said.
Shinde also promised measures, including easy procurement of farm loans to prevent farmers' suicides in Marathwada.
The state government is committed to diverting excess water from west-flowing rivers in Maharashtra to Marathwada, he said.
Won't have potholes to count in Mumbai in future
Chief minister Eknath Shinde said the state government aims to provide pothole-free roads across rural and urban Maharashtra. He said the roads should be of quality and those who compromise will not be spared. He added that they were contemplating revising the defects liability period for contractors, who build the roads.