Maharashtra Ministers Spark Outrage Over Dry Fruits at Drought Meeting

Maharashtra state ministers, MPs, and MLAs sparked controversy after a viral video showed them eating dry fruits, including cashew nuts and almonds, during a drought review meeting in Nanded. The meeting, chaired by Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bhame, was convened to address deficient rainfall and worsening drought in the Marathwada region, where officials estimate at least 25% of standing crops have been damaged.

Ambadas Danve, a legislator from Shiv Sena (UBT), condemned the act as insensitive, noting that over 400 farmers in the region have died by suicide. He argued that leaders eating luxury snacks while farmers face drinking water shortages demonstrates a lack of empathy for the crisis.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded by stating that the local administration is responsible for snack arrangements. While he noted that no one would have made the mistake deliberately, he acknowledged that the administration needs to show sensitivity in such situations. Minister Sanjay Shirsat also attributed the lapse to the administration, claiming the government is facing criticism for someone else's mistakes.