Free power at any cost, says Joshi

Joshi however categorically denied that the State Government would announce wet famine conditions in Maharashtra.

Addressing a rally after commissioning the crushing season at Bhogavati sugar mill at Vairag, near here, Joshi lambasted the sugar barons for taking the farmers for a ride and said that the management of the co-operative sugar factories have secured nothing but their vested interest in the name of farmers so far.

He said that of the total 117 cooperative sugar factories in the State, 91 are passing through financial loses 8220;which highlights the misdeeds of the managements of the sugar factories.8221;

Joshi said that late leaders like Vasantdada Patil truly had devoted their lives for upliftment of the farmers through the cooperative sector. Mismanagement, misdeeds and corruption have now become common in sugar cooperatives, resulting in losses and a financial setback to the farmers,8221; he alleged.

Joshi criticised the growing tendency among sugar barons to seek financial aid from the State government 8220;every now and then8221; and quipped that this has become a fashion. Joshi claimed that his was the only government which actually has worked to safeguard the farmers8217; interest by implementing various schemes. Through a project like Krishna Valley Development Corporation more than 10 lakh hectares of land would be irrigated which in turn would bring green revolution, he said.

Appreciating the Agro Advantage festival held at Mumbai, Joshi said that the saffron alliance government has given new directions to the farmers to enhance the modern agro Techniques. Ministers for State Dilip Sopal, MLAs Sudhakar Paricharak, Rajan Patil, Digambar Bagal and Vasantrao Kale, BJP MLA Narsing Menjaji and the director Board of the District Central Co-operative Bank were present on the occasion. However, chairperson of the Bhogawati Co-operative Sugar factory and former MLA Nirmala Thokal who is known as the protege of Sharad Pawar, boycotted the function.