Govt unwilling to announce package for state’s farmers

The Maharashtra government is not willing to announce a package to give relief to farmers from drought-hit areas despite demands from Congress-NCP and ruling Shiv Sena for a complete loan waiver and a package for farmers. Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar claimed that his government has already proposed more than Rs 7,000 crore for farmers and there is no need of a special package.

The first week of the State legislature’s Winter Session was a wash out amid a ruckus by the Opposition over the package. The Opposition expected a package of at least Rs 10,000 crore, but chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is firm on taking long-term measures instead of doling out the short-term packages. Mr Mungantiwar too said he has proposed a huge amount for farmers through supplementary demands.

‘We have proposed Rs 4,200 crore to tackle drought, Rs 944.92 crore as state’s share to give relief to farmers affected by natural calamities, Rs 227 crore to continue the food and security mission, Rs 93 crore for a comprehensive crop insurance scheme. These are some of the major provisions suggested through supplementary demands,” said Mr Mungantiwar.

He added that these are the measures taken for farmers and hence there is no need to announce a separate package for the farmers. Rubbishing the Opposition’s claims that the BJP government is not serious about farmers, Mr Mungantiwar said, “These provisions are sufficient and they will prove how seriously we are thinking about farmers.”

Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Opposition leader in State Assembly, said, “More than 3,000 farmers have committed suicide during the BJP regime but still the chief minister and finance minister are not considering announcing the package. It is shameful for the state.”

Dhananjay Munde, Opposition leader in state Council House too echoed the stand of Mr Vikhe-Patil. Another Congress leader Sanjay Dutt claimed Mr Fadnavis is trapped between senior ministers of his own party while the leader of the CM’s partner Shiv Sena too is criticising him over various issues including drought and farmers suicide.

Mr Dutt claimed that Mr Mungantiwar and agriculture and relief and rehabilitation minister Eknath Khadse are playing an important role by “not supporting” Mr Fadnavis.

However, Mr Mungantiwar denied this, saying, “Being chief minister, Mr Fadnavis has supreme powers; and using his powers, he could consider announcing the package. My duty is to make the provision of the amount that will be announced by him.”

Mr Khadse was not available for comments.