Pune, Oct 17 (PTI) NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar on Saturday demanded immediate measures to address the drought in Maharashtra, including financial assistance for farmers and agricultural labourers, loan waivers and a comprehensive plan for crops, livestock and drinking water supply.
Addressing a press conference here, Pawar presented data on the damage caused to Kharif crops, the availability of fodder for cattle, the condition of fruit orchards, drinking water scarcity and the threat of distress migration from drought-hit areas.
He also alleged that loans taken by members of women’s self-help groups were being recovered through musclemen, and stressed the need for urgent government intervention.
Pawar demanded a new scheme to ensure the survival of livestock, particularly goats and sheep, amid the worsening fodder shortage.
He also called for a loan waiver and sought payment of 100 per cent of the insured amount under the crop insurance scheme to affected farmers.
“As immediate drought relief, farmers must be given advance payment of Rs 35,000 per hectare against the proposed assistance of Rs 1 lakh per hectare. There should be advance payment of Rs 10,000 to each agricultural labourer family against the proposed assistance of Rs 25,000,” the MLA said.
Pawar said he would launch a street-level agitation if the demands were not met.
“Ministers and political leaders will not be allowed to move freely on the streets if the government fails to take immediate action to address the crisis,” Pawar warned.
NCP (SP) Baramati MP Supriya Sule also urged the Maharashtra government to provide immediate relief to drought-hit farmers.
NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar had written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis twice seeking assistance for those affected by the crisis, she added.
Raising concerns over the drought situation and recovery of loans by microfinance companies, Sule said her party did not want to politicise the issue and was willing to work alongside the government to help distressed farmers.
“The farmer is in distress today. We are ready to work shoulder to shoulder with the government to help them,” she told reporters. PTI SPK BNM
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