Showcase farmers' suicides also: NCP before 'Make in India Week' launch

Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is set to launch the 'Make in India Week' later this week, also need to "showcase" farmers' suicides in the state to global leaders.

NCP member and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde claimed 189 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra in January alone and alleged the government is misguiding the courts by stating false numbers.

"While the Prime Minister is coming here to inaugurate 'Make in India Week', he also needs to showcase farmers' suicides in Maharashtra to global leaders," he said. The Prime Minister launches the 'Make in India Week' event here on February 13.

Munde also alleged the Maharashtra government is ignoring serious drought the state is facing.

"The CM had, on June 11, 2015, said he would chair a Cabinet meeting in Aurangabad and bring about a solution to the drought in Marathwada," Munde told reporters here.

"Urban areas in Latur district don't receive drinking water for 20 days, Beed district (doesn't receive water) for 15 days, while Parbhani district receives water once in eight days," Munde said, adding the distribution of water in rural areas is worse.

He claimed no district Guardian Minister has chaired a meeting on the drought situation in the last eight months and surgeries in government hospitals are being cancelled for the lack of water.

"The water mafia is looting the poor. Please do something to end the drinking water woes of people," he said.

On the issue of allotment of a prime plot to Bollywood actor and BJP MP Hema Malini, the NCP leader said the state government has not followed the Bombay High Court's order.