BJP MLC Accuses Opposition of Attempting to Erase Farmers' Land Ownership Records
Nagpur: In a fiery speech during the Maharashtra Legislative Council budget debate on Wednesday, BJP MLC Dr. Parinay Fuke launched a scathing attack against the Opposition. He accused them of deliberately trying to erase farmers' names from official land records, specifically targeting the 7/12 extract documents that serve as primary proof of land ownership in rural Maharashtra.
Allegations of Systematic Land Record Tampering
Dr. Fuke asserted that recent demands to blank out the 7/12 extract following the announcement of the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar loan waiver scheme reveal the Opposition's true intentions. "The Opposition's policy is that farmers should not have land in their names at all," he declared emphatically. The 7/12 extract, which contains crucial information including the farmer's name, family members' names, and precise land area, represents documented ownership that Fuke claims the Opposition wants to strip away.
The BJP leader highlighted that the loan waiver scheme, which forgives crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh for eligible farmers, marks the fourth historic agricultural debt relief initiative in Maharashtra's history. He further noted that farmers who have consistently repaid their loans on time will receive an additional incentive subsidy of Rs 50,000 as recognition of their financial discipline.
Vidarbha's Paddy Procurement Crisis Deepens
Turning his attention to the agricultural heartland of Vidarbha, Dr. Fuke drew urgent attention to the severe paddy procurement crisis affecting multiple districts. "The situation in Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, and Nagpur districts has reached critical levels," he warned. While last year's procurement reached 1.2 crore quintals, this year's fragmented procurement limit of just 10 lakh quintals per piece has created massive bottlenecks.
The consequence has been disastrous for farmers, with substantial volumes of paddy remaining unsold in warehouses and thousands of cultivators awaiting payment for their produce. Dr. Fuke demanded immediate intervention, calling for the procurement limit to be raised to 20 lakh quintals to alleviate the crisis. He also pointed out that the annual bonus for paddy farmers remains unannounced, adding to their financial distress. "Relief should be given before the session ends," he insisted with urgency.
Specific Demands for Agricultural Infrastructure Development
Dr. Fuke presented a detailed list of financial demands to strengthen agricultural infrastructure across the region:
- Rs 100 crore allocation for strengthening the Bhandara Agricultural Produce Market Committee
- Rs 10 crore each for the Tumsar-Mohadi and Lakhani market committees
- Dedicated funds for the Galmukta Dharana scheme in Bhandara district
- Immediate revival of the stalled Lakhani water supply scheme
Budget Analysis and Tribute to Ajit Pawar
Providing detailed budget analysis, Dr. Fuke cited the state's total proposed expenditure of Rs 7,69,400 crore against projected revenue of Rs 6.16 lakh crore for the 2026-27 fiscal year. He noted a District Planning Committee (DPC) allocation of Rs 21,867 crore specifically earmarked for district-level development projects.
The BJP MLC described Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's budget presentation as a comprehensive vision document guiding Maharashtra's development trajectory until 2047. He paid heartfelt tribute to the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who presented the state budget an impressive eleven times during his political career. "His grasp of financial planning was truly unmatched," Fuke remarked with respect.
The government has announced plans to construct a memorial in Ajit Pawar's honor and will institute the Ajit Pawar Gatiman Nagari Seva Award to recognize outstanding public service, continuing his legacy of administrative excellence.
