Agriculturists move Bombay high court, seek immediate aid for farmers

Two agriculturists — Gorakh Gadge, 35, from Solapur and Vithrao Pawar, 49, from Pune — have moved the Bombay high court, seeking that the state and the central governments be directed to disburse immediate financial aid to farmers affected by the hailstorm as the election code of conduct doesn't come in the way when a natural calamity strikes.

According to state officials, the government hasn't been able to offer immediate assistance due to the code of conduct being in place.

Ashish Gaikwad, advocate for the agriculturists, said, "The bare reading of Clause 3 of the model code of conduct makes it clear that the government may provide assistance, financial help to those affected by natural calamity..."

The agriculturists have sought Rs40,000 crore for the farmers, of which, Rs20,000 crore they want disbursed immediately.

Gaikwad mentioned the PIL before HC and it has been kept for hearing before a division bench of chief justice Mohit Shah and justice MS Sanklecha on Thursday.

The PIL has made Union of India, Election Commission of India, State Election Commission, state government and state commissioner of animal husbandry respondents.

According to the PIL, a total area, admeasuring 17,69,403 hectares, has been directly affected, resulting in damage to crop, which was ready for harvest, all leading to loss of Rs42,000 crore.

Union agricultural minister Sharad Pawar and chief minister Prithviraj Chavan visited the hailstorm-affected areas and promised help, but nothing has come out of it yet, said Gaikwad.

The PIL prays that apart from providing immediate financial aid, the government should grant affected farmers exemption from paying revenue and taxes for their lands for this year. They should also be exempted from repayment of any loan.