Declare drought, says farmer body

Mumbai: Kisan Kranti Jan Andolan (KKJA) has warned that it will celebrate a “black Diwali” this year if the state government does not declare drought by October 31. The announcement was made Sunday by Sandip Gidde of KKJA. Mr Gidde has asked the government for several other things along with declaring a drought, which include a complete loan waiver and financial assistance to farmers and others.

“Maharashtra as a state is staring at a severe drought. But the current state government is just buying time. Farmers have lost all their crops as the returning monsoon failed completely in the state. In such a situation, the government should have worked proactively. If it fails to declare a drought and all schemes related to drought, farmers will celebrate a ‘black Diwali’,” said Mr Gidde.

Kisan Kranti Jan Andolan Samiti is part of the nationwide Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, which recently gave a call for protest in north India. “Once the government declares a drought, the administration starts working on it. Farmers have borrowed loans for this season. But with drought, the recovery process is halted and that is the biggest relief for farmers. Also, local administration starts preparation for fodder camps. This all needs to be done at the earliest,” Mr Gidde said.

The state government has started preparing to announce a drought in the state. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered his Cabinet colleagues to take stock of the situation in every district. Ministers have already started tours of different parts. It is expected that the state government will take some decisions to give relief to farmers before Diwali.