Pune: Baramati MP Supriya Sule of NCP (SP) on Wednesday urged Maharashtra govt to declare a state calamity against the backdrop of heavy rainfall and immediately waive loans for the affected farmers. She also highlighted official data showing a surge in Pune’s crime rate, calling it “a sign of the worsening law and order situation in the state”.“Govt must declare a ‘wet drought’ and announce a loan waiver for farmers,” Supriya said, while criticising the ruling coalition, saying, “Before the elections, they promised to waive farm loans, but after coming to power, they seem to have forgotten those commitments.”Supriya said she had approached Union home minister Amit Shah, who also holds the charge of Union cooperation minister, with a formal demand in this regard.Speaking on a variety of issues during her visit to Warje and Katraj with PMC officials, Supriya also expressed concern over the prolonged delay in civic elections. “Elected representatives play a crucial role in engaging with local communities, and their absence from governing bodies is negatively impacting urban planning efforts,” she said.The MP said there was growing public dissatisfaction over several issues, including financial hardships and reservation policies. “Govt and CM Devendra Fadnavis should clarify the current status of reservations extended to various communities. Govt should also present a comprehensive explanation detailing how the resolution will benefit citizens,” she said. Speaking about review of govt’s flagship Ladki Bahin scheme, Supriya said: “An investigation is needed to understand how lakhs of women initially received benefits under this scheme, only to be later removed. If they were eventually excluded, how were they deemed eligible in the first place?”She said govt bodies’ water supply dues were not sending the right message to the public. “The citizens are being punished for delays in payments. So, why should govt bodies be let off? These bodies should make the payment on their own. The financial conditions of the authorities are worrisome. They need all the revenue,” she said.Supriya said govt was not working in the spirit of the Indian constitution, which promoted the right to education. “There is a delay in giving scholarships to deprived students,” she added.
