New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi, who had visited the drought-affected areas of Maharashtra last month, today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek relief measures for the area.
The Prime Minister assured the Maharashtra delegation led by Gandhi that Centre will take all possible steps to provide relief to the drought-affected people.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, AICC Secretary for the state Mohan Prakash, PCC chief Manikrao Thakrey, Youth Congress` national President Rajiv Satav also accompanied Gandhi, who apprised the Prime Minister of his concerns about the drought situation in 15 districts of the state.
Gandhi had visited the drought-hit areas of the state in the last week of April. Villagers had sought more funds from state and central governments to tide over the crisis to which Rahul had responded positively.
The 41-year-old Congress leader`s visit had come three weeks after Chavan had visited the drought-hit areas.
In 1987, Rajiv Gandhi had visited these drought-hit areas in western Maharashtra and in 2003, Sonia Gandhi had also inspected drought relief measures in the region.
"Rahul Gandhi apprised the Prime Minister of the drought situation in the area. The Prime Minister has said that the goverment will take all possible efforts to provide relief," Mohan Prakash told PTI.
The meeting lasted for half an hour. Gandhi met the Prime Minister immeidately after Singh`s meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The Chief Minister had earlier apprised the Prime Minister of the drought situation. Tomorrow, Congress and NCP MPs and ministers from the state are also likely to meet the Prime Minister over the issue.
Meanwhile, Thakre told PTI over phone that he and Chavan, on behalf of the party and Government in Maharashtra, submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister seeking Central assistance of Rs 2,200 crore for drought relief.
"Prime Minister assured us that he would consider the demand," the MPCC President said.
He said the Congress leaders will meet party President Sonia Gandhi tomorrow.
PTI
