Six months after announcement of agri awards, farmers await felicitation

The constant bureaucratic reshuffle within the agriculture department held by Dhananjay Munde is also touted as one of the reasons for delay.

Maharashtra farmers awards delay, 2020-2022 agriculture awards Maharashtra,

On February 23, 2024, the state government declared awards for years 2020, 2021 and 2022. (Representational Image/Express Archives)

Around 271 farmers and agriculture related organisations across the state are waiting for the Maharashtra government to confer on them the awards declared for years 2020, 2021 and 2022. While the government had deposited the reward amount in their bank accounts, the farmers are still awaiting felicitation.

The Maharashtra government annually felicitates farmers and agriculture business related organisation with various awards, such as Dr Punjabrao Deshmukh Krushi Ratna Award, Vasantrao Nasik Krushibhushan Award, Jijamata Krushibhushan Award, Krushibhushan (organic farming) Award, Vasantrao Naik Sheti Mitra Award, Udyanpandit Award, Vasantrao Naik Shetinishtha farmer award (general / tribal), Padmashri Dr Vitthalrao Vikhe-Patil Krushi Sevaratna Award. On February 23, 2024, the state government declared awards for years 2020, 2021 and 2022.

“Monetary prize was deposited in our accounts within few days after the awards were declared. However since then, there has been no communication about the felicitation ceremony,” said Nana Patil from Chalisgaon who is a recipient of the award from the year 2021.

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According to Baban Harne from Shahapur who was declared Udyanpandit awardee in 2021 said, “The government officials cited the code of conduct for Lok Sabha elections for the delay in holding the ceremony. Now, general elections are over and assembly polls are set to be announced. We expect that the awards are distributed before the elections are announced, otherwise it will be delayed firther.”

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The constant bureaucratic reshuffle within the agriculture department held by Dhananjay Munde is also touted as one of the reasons for delay. In the past year, the agriculture department has witnessed two secretaries and two agriculture commissioners. On Monday, agriculture secretary V Radha was transferred to the General Administration Department (GAD) and yet no new appointment has been announced.

Agriculture commissioner Ravidnra Binwade when contacted said that the program has not been delayed and a meeting regarding it has already been held by the minister. “The program will be held in the next month and the dates will soon be finalised,” he said.

“We are not aware about the reasons for the delay, but we have not been given the meeting with the minister despite constant requests. We have written to the minister and to the CM’s office about the need to organise this ceremony. But no action seem to have initiated,” said Prakash Patil from Dhule who has constituted a federation of government awardee farmers in 2019.

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Patil said that he expects the government to give preference to farmers and both CM and the minister must take out time for the programme where farmers across the state will be coming.

Balchand Ghunawat from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a recipient of 2022 award, said that they hear a new date every week. “We have been trying to know the reason behind the delay, but have not been told anything,” said Ghunawat.

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