Stories
Uddhav Thackeray Slams Fadnavis on Drought Aid: "Collecting Coins from Empty Pockets" Not a Solution
N
News18•29-09-2026, 12:07
Uddhav Thackeray Slams Fadnavis on Drought Aid: "Collecting Coins from Empty Pockets" Not a Solution
- •Shiv Sena (UBT) sharply reacted to CM Devendra Fadnavis' appeal to reduce private ceremony expenses for drought relief.
- •The party, in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', questioned government priorities, calling it 'collecting coins from empty pockets'.
- •Shiv Sena (UBT) demanded action against alleged corruption, commissions, and financial irregularities to raise funds for drought relief.
- •The party also requested allocation of – 4,000 crore from unutilized PM CARES Fund for Maharashtra's agricultural sector.
- •Uddhav Thackeray stated that ministers foregoing one month's salary is inadequate and immediate assistance to farmers is needed.
Key Questions Answered
Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's appeal for citizens to reduce private ceremony expenses and donate to drought relief, calling it 'collecting coins from empty pockets' and arguing that financially stressed citizens should not fund disaster management.
The Maharashtra state government has declared a drought-like situation in 265 out of the state's 358 talukas, prompting the initiation of crop damage assessments and relief measures.
Uddhav Thackeray suggested curbing corruption and commission-taking in infrastructure projects, redirecting political and horse-trading expenses, seeking contributions from builders and bureaucrats, and allocating Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 crore from unutilized PM CARES Fund monies.
