Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress on Monday held a strong protest against the state government’s ‘apathy’ towards the death of several farmers due to pesticides in the state. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Ashok Chavan and other senior leaders such as Mohan Prakash and Manikrao Thakare led a march by Congress workers at Yavatmal’s district collector office on Monday. Till now, 36 farmers have lost their lives due to poisonous pesticides and almost 1,600 farmers have been affected. Three are still in the ICU and battling for life.
Stating that the state government should have taken action against the company that manufactured the pesticides, Mr Chavan said, “At the same time, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis should have visited the place and consoled the family members of the farmers who lost their lives. But overlooking these things exposes the insensitivity of the government.”
Earlier, the Maharashtra government had declared '2 lakh to the kin of farmers who lost their lives. Agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar had visited the places few days back. The state Cabinet had also assured help to farmers who would face losses due to the tragedy.
