New Delhi, Nov 28: Maharashtra government has demanded Rs.1,373 crore Central assistance to tide over the drought situation in the state, Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today said. "We have sought Rs1,000 crore in addition to our earlier demand for Rs 373 crore to meet the situation arising out of the drought in 16 sugarcane growing districts," he told reporters here.

Shinde said a Central team recently toured the drought-hit areas to assess the gravity of the problem. "We hope the Centre will now consider our demand", he said. The Chief Minister is camping in the capital from where he is undertaking election tours of the poll-bound states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi, to woo voters for Congress.

Earlier, Shinde offered flowers at the portrait of social reformist Jyotirao Phule at the Maharashtra Sadan here on the occasion of his death anniversary.

Bureau Report