RR Patil laments Maharashtra state’s economy

State home minister RR Patil criticised the present, economic state of Maharashtra by saying that it was worse than even Bihar.

Patil said, "If the productivity of the four top cities in Maharashtra was ignored, we are actually worse than Bihar."

Patil was speaking at the inaugural function of the two-day cultural festival for rural children titled, 'Aapli Mati, Aapla Maharashtra' held at the Balgandharva Rangamandir on Saturday morning.

Patil said, "Maharashtra is one of the more developed states in the country and a large number of doctors and agriculture graduates are from Maharashtra. But, if we exclude the productivity of Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Nashik cities, our state will be fare worse than Bihar."

According to Patil, the farmers in the state were in trouble due to the unpredictable monsoon, fluctuating market rates and poor rates for their crops.

"Our farmers prefer to cultivate only crops that yield a good price. As a result of which the production levels go up and prices come down. This affects the farmers adversely."