Only 24,131 farmers got promised advance: Congress

Mumbai: The Congress has criticised the BJP-led state government after it came to light that only 24,131 farmers have got the advance of Rs 10,000, which was promised by the state government for the Kharif season.

The amount of only Rs 24 crore was distributed till August 14 at a time when there are 1.36 crore farmers having bank accounts. The advance was to be given for the Kharif season but it came with strings attached.

Taking up the issue of poor distribution of the advance money, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said that it showed the government’s inefficiency.

“The Rs 10,000 advance was declared by the government on July 4. However, only 24,131 farmers have received the advance money when there are 1.36 crore account holder farmers.

It shows how the entire government scheme has been badly implemented.

Now the Kharif season has passed and many farmers had to go for double sowing. There is no rainfall yet but the government machinery is doing nothing to help the farmers,” Mr Sawant said. Highlighting the increase in farmers’ suicide in the state, he said more than 10,000 farmers have committed suicide in last 2.5 years.

“The suicides have not stopped even after the CM’s announcement of the loan waiver. The farmers no more trust the government. It is a failure of the BJP led government that they indulged only in making announcements and no practical work was done,” Mr Sawant added.

The loan waiver scheme that was announced by the Fadnavis government came with riders and hence the opposition from farmers’ groups, and opposition parties.

Poor distribution of money

The Rs 10,000 advance was declared by the government on July 4. However, only 24,131 farmers have received the advance money when there are 1.36 crore account holder farmers. It shows how the entire government scheme has been badly implemented. Now the Kharif season has passed and many farmers had to go for double sowing with little help from nature or state.