Addressing a press conference Senior Congress Leader Balasaheb Thorat asserted that the state government should provide a financial aid of Rs 50,000 per hectare to aid the losses of farmers, instead of waiting for the ‘punchnama’ (loss assessments)
-1748869089112_d.png "Farmers in tremendous distress due to rains but govt not helping them: Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat")
During a recent press conference Senior Congress Leader Balasaheb Thorat asserted that agriculture is not a profitable business. Representation Pic/File.
Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Balasahed Thorat on Monday asserted that farmers in the state were suffering from severe losses due to early monsoon showers in May but the government is not providing any aid to this problem, reported the PTI.
Addressing a press conference he asserted that the state government should provide a financial aid of Rs 50,000 per hectare to aid the losses of farmers, instead of waiting for the ‘punchnama’ (loss assessments), reported PTI.
"Farmers are in dire straits. If they are in trouble, common citizens too will face hardships. There is unrest among farmers and the government must act. A farmer spends Rs 50,000 per acre for vegetable cultivation and nearly Rs 60,000 per acre for horticulture cultivation. Due to the Maharashtra rains, even fodder has been destroyed," he said, according to the PTI.
He further added that agriculture is not a profitable business, also the one-rupee crop insurance scheme has been stopped, and the state government has not acted on its commitment of loan waiver.
"The administration is, however, nowhere to be seen on the ground. Guardian ministers must be touring districts to take stock of the situation but many districts don't have guardian ministers. If the chief minister says work doesn't stop in the absence of a guardian minister, then why have this post for districts," Thorat added.
While talking to the reporters after heading a meeting in Nashik on Sunday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to a query about the absence of a guardian minister for the district, which is set to host the Simhastha Kumbh Mela next year, by stating, "guardian ministers come and go."
Additionally Thorat said that the state government will have to face the consequences for ignoring the agricultural issues. When questioned about his nephew and Independent MLC Satyajit Tambe's recent remarks made to a local digital channel, where he challenged state leaders to secure an appointment with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, within an hour, Thorat said the comments were ‘childish.’
"One should be grateful if anyone has been helpful in life. One must never forget the favour. He needs to learn a lot about politics and must introspect. If you have issues, one must learn to keep it in the heart," Thorat said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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