Addressing the media on Tuesday, Patil said that the BJP government in both, the Centre and state is not serious about farmers' plight, and demanded waiving off of farmer loans. "Only a loan waive off can resolve the agrarian crisis; else, we are heading towards a much worse situation. Besides, to the farmers whose yield was below 50 paise, government should provide seeds and fertilisers free of cost," he said.
While Maharashtra is reeling under severe drought, the BJP-led government has still not initiated single fodder camps, which can help farmers save their animals; this was a point raised by state Opposition leader and Congress corporator Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Patil said that the BJP government in both, the Centre and state is not serious about farmers' plight, and demanded waiving off of farmer loans. "Only a loan waive off can resolve the agrarian crisis; else, we are heading towards a much worse situation. Besides, to the farmers whose yield was below 50 paise, government should provide seeds and fertilisers free of cost," he said.
The Congress corporator highlighted an alarming point – this is the first time that farmers are committing suicide in every part of the country; in Maharashtra itself, farmer suicides have risen by 40% he said.
"There is no water to drink, nor fodder to feed the animals. Rather than addressing this problem, the government has worsened it by imposing a ban on the slaughtering of non-productive animals. As a result, no one is willing to buy these unproductive animals," Patil alleged.
During the reign of the Congress, he pointed out: "We had started several fodder camps and saved animals by giving relief to farmers. But now, no one in this government cares about the plight of farmers."
He also alleged that ministers are not visiting severely affected (drought) areas, giving an example. "In Beed, people were supplied filthy sewerage water. It is unfortunate that people who voted them to power have been systematically neglected after coming to power," he said.
Attacking the Modi government, he said that if there are really good days ahead, then the government need not advertise in every newspaper. "People themselves will give credit to the government if there are good days. Beating empty drums do not bring good days, but good can be brought about by productive work only," the leader said.
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