Speaking to reporters before the agitation, Kadu said he has received an invitation from the chief minister's office for a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the revenue minister, and secretaries of 38 departments
Bachchu Kadu. File Photo
Prahar Janshakti Party chief and former MLA Bachchu Kadu on Monday launched a tractor march in Maharashtra's Amravati district, demanding a complete loan waiver for farmers in the state, reported news agency PTI.
The march, which began at Chandurbazar in Amravati, will halt at Wardha at night before arriving in Nagpur on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters before the agitation, Kadu said he has received an invitation from the chief minister's office for a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the revenue minister, and secretaries of 38 departments, reported PTI.
Kadu said he will decide whether to attend the meeting after holding a discussion with his supporters, reported PTI.
He further warned that the agitation would not be called off merely on the promise of talks and declared that protesters will not leave Nagpur until the government takes a concrete decision to provide a complete loan waiver to farmers, reported PTI.
Earlier this month, the Maharashtra government announced a relief package of Rs 31,628 crore for farmers and families affected by heavy rainfall across the state. Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, addressing a press conference in Mumbai, said the relief package would be disbursed before the Diwali festival.
Explaining the package, Fadnavis said that the Centre had advised the state to ensure farmers are able to "once again stand on their feet".
“The proposal to the Union Government of India is yet to be sent. But we are not waiting for the Centre’s package. The state is going ahead with the relief and rehabilitation package. The amount disbursed by the state government will be reimbursed by the Centre,” CM Fadnavis said.
This year's heavy rainfall has caused extensive damage across in Marathwada, Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, and Western Maharashtra, with Marathwada and Western Maharashtra being the worst affected.
Fadnavis further said the relief proposal has not yet been submitted to the Centre, as it cannot be modified once forwarded.
“We want to send detailed and accurate proposals, hence its taking time. But that is not affecting the relief and rehabilitation work,” he added.
Fadnavis also noted that the relief package announced by Maharashtra is higher than that of other states such as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
“We do not want to compare it with any other states. The announced relief package is the highest in the history of the state," he stated.
(With inputs from PTI)
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