Congress' Shivajirao Moghe attacks Maharashtra govternment's "anti-farmer" policies

Former Maharashtra minister and Congress leader Shivajirao Moghe today demanded withdrawal of state government's resolution of January 7 with respect to the release of aid for the drought-hit farmers.

Moghe said that the GR spells out land-holding related parameters for the release of aid and it would end up denying the aid to 40 per cent of the farmers.

He also criticised the ordinance issued by the NDA government in the Centre on amendment to the Land Acquisition Act, saying a bill was not put before the Parliament because the government expected a stiff opposition.

He called the amendments `anti-farmer'.

Moghe also questioned the the state government's decision to give priority to the projects which are 70 per cent complete, saying it would mean the projects which are in initial stages would be put in deep freezer.

It would affect the Lower Painganga River irrigation project of Yavatmal, he added.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should have given priority to all the incomplete projects of Vidarbha irrespective of status of completeness, Moghe said.

He also said that Yavatmal Vikas Manch, headed by him, would be undertaking Yavatmal Zilla Vikas Mission, 2015, aiming to encourage the farmers to take up ancillary occupations. The program was launched in Arni tehsil today.