Maharashtra former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to seek a Rs 10,000 crore financial package from Prime Minister Narendra Modi government to tackle the severe agrarian crisis in the state. Highly placed sources in the government revealed to Indian Express, "Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is working out a financial package. The Centre's Rs 8,500 crore package coupled with state's Rs 4,500 crore would make up for a substantial package. It would include relief and drought mitigation plans in phases." The state government has urged various departments to rework its ongoing projects to enable them to avail the funds for drought situation. The water resources, water conservation along with agriculture would together have an integrated policy and funds to deal with the drought. The agrarian crisis rocked the both houses of state assembly and council with opposition warning that the end of winter would multiply the crisis manifold for which preparations should be taken on war footing. Pawar who took the centre stage in the ongoing winter session at Nagpur lead the Congress-NCP heavyweights in making a scathing attack against the month old government over farmer suicides in the state. While demanding loan waiver for farmers in both crop and electricity bills, he also asked the government to provide financial assistance to the widows of farmers. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was present in the state legislative assembly, patiently heard the criticism being hurdled at the government, often noting down the suggestions. In a veiled warning to the Fadnavis government, Pawar said, "It is unfortunate that ever since you have taken the reins there have been 400 farmers suicides in state. The prices of soya beans, cotton and milk have crashed compounding the financial crisis for the farmers." If the government fails to address the massive unrest amongst farmers, they would turn against your government, he warned. Adding, "We will also ensure none of the ministers in your government are allowed to tour in Maharashtra." Referring to the excellent personal rapport between Modi and Fadnavis, he said, "Why has the government not completed the procedure to declare drought in state. And what stops the Centre from extending a generous package of Rs 10,000 crore?" The prices of raw oil import which was Rs 110 per barrel has come down to Rs 65. And Centre has saved Rs 2.5 lakh crore. They can easily allocate Rs 10,000 crore. Pawar pointed how Maharashtra was found lacking in the initiative to seek central assistance as compared to other states like Haryana on farmers problems. What was appalling is even the basic government resolution which should have been issued to set the pace for administration to begin the relief to the farmers has not been done, he lamented. Setting aside their political differences Congress and NCP ministers made drought a common cause. Whether it was former ministers Patangrao Kadam, Balasaheb Thorat, Jaidutt Kshirsagar, Chhagan Bhujbal et al emphasised on the serious agrarian crisis. While Thorat wondered if these were the "Achee din" (good days), Bhujbal said, " financial constrains cannot come in the way of declaring the package." The members from the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena who also participated in the day long debate echoed the same sentiments over rising incidents of farmers suicides. The senior BJP (MLA) Chainsukh Sancheti said, "The farmers problems is an outcome of wrong policies and planning of the 15 years rule of Congress and NCP government." Interestingly, Pawar also imparted lessons on do's and don'ts to Fadnavis on tackling drought in state. He said, "The government should immediately depute the guardian ministers to tour their respective constituencies. They should set up cattle camps to ensure water and fodder is provided. The government should waive both electricity bills and crop loans immediately."
