Government ignoring us: Konkan residents

Mumbai: The state government machinery has been busy tackling the flood situation in Western Maharashtra, but there is growing discontent in the Konkan region, with the locals alleging that the government has turned a blind eye towards flooding in coastal areas.

Along with Sangli and Kolhapur in Western Maharashtra, the Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts in the Konkan also received heavy rainfall, which resulted in flooding in several areas there.

In Ratnagiri, the market areas in Chiplun, Khed, Rajapur, Sakharpa, Sangmeshwar and Lanja went underwater. Villages along rivers were also submerged, due to which rice, ragi, mango, cashew and kokum crops suffered heavy damage. In Sindhudurg, Sawantwadi and surrounding areas have been badly inundated.

Konkan locals are fuming as ministers have not bothered to visit flood-affected areas to take stock of losses and the government has delayed extending financial assistance to the region. “The leaders in Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha and North Maharashtra are vigilant as they have succeeded in getting funds for flood-hit areas by putting pressure on the government. But leaders in the Konkan are not so alert, which has resulted in the government turning a blind eye towards the plight of the Konkani people,” said Sameer Chavan, a Sindhudurg resident.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader and minister Ravindra Waikar, who is also the guardian minister of Ratnagiri, has asked chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to provide Rs 100 crore in aid to the flood-affected people of Ratnagiri.

In a letter sent to the chief minister, Mr Waikar has said that there was flooding at several places in the district such as Khed, Chiplun, Sangmeshwar, Lanja and Rajapur due to which people have suffered huge losses. According to a report presented by the district collector, at least Rs 100 crore is needed to recover the losses.