Maharashtra: Farmers’ issue dominate Day 1 of winter session

Leader of Opposition in the state legislative assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, moved the adjournment motion in the House, demanding immediate relief to the farmers by waiving the loans entirely.

Slamming the state government, Wadettiwar said that at a time when the farmers were facing crisis, the state government was busy organising publicity events and the Chief Minister was busy campaigning with ministers who had no time to visit the farmers whose crops have been damaged.

“Drought, unseasonal rain, hailstorms and Cyclone Michaung have led to farmers suffering huge losses… In such a situation, the government is only doing panchnama. We don’t want just announcements… the money should be deposited in the farmers’ bank accounts. The  government should waive the entire loan of farmers,” said Wadettiwar.

“The farmers of Vidarbha and Marathwada are in trouble. Farmers producing cotton, paddy, orange, grapes, onion and soybean are in crisis. The minister did not go to inspect the farms. The Chief Minister was busy campaigning. The government has given instructions to do panchnama of this damage but it is not done. The government was late in announcing the drought. Drought was declared in only 40 talukas… After our demand, they declared ‘drought-like situation’ in 1,021 revenue boards… This is unfortunate. There are tears in the eyes of farmers. To get the farmers out of the crisis, there should be a loan waiver,” Wadettiwar said.

Responding to Wadettiwar, Fadnavis said, “Forty talukas have been declared drought-prone as per Centre’s criteria. In 1,200 revenue boards, a drought-like situation has been declared. The financial aid, which will be given for drought is the same for drought-like situations and areas. It has been decided to provide assistance up to three hectares instead of two hectares.  Rs 10,000 crore has been given in the past as well. Even now, this government stands firmly with the farmers. They will be provided complete assistance.”

Earlier in the day, the opposition staged a protest outside the Assembly by raising slogans against the government with some of them wearing garlands made of damaged crop of oranges and cotton.