Congress Leader Urges Immediate Relief for Maharashtra Farmers After Unseasonal Rain Damage
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday demanded urgent financial assistance for farmers impacted by recent unseasonal rain and hailstorms across Maharashtra. He also raised critical questions regarding pending paddy bonuses and the land survey process for the proposed Shaktipeeth Highway, highlighting multiple crises facing the agricultural community.
Severe Crop Losses Reported Across Vidarbha and Marathwada
Moving an adjournment motion in the Maharashtra Assembly, Wadettiwar detailed the extensive damage caused by heavy rain and hail over the past 24 hours. Standing crops in key agricultural regions were severely affected, with districts including Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, and Yavatmal in Vidarbha, along with Beed, Latur, Nanded, and Parbhani in Marathwada, among the worst hit.
"Jowar, wheat, and gram crops that were ready for harvest have been completely lost," Wadettiwar informed the House. He further noted that mango and grape orchards suffered significant losses, compounding the economic distress for farmers. The meteorological department has issued warnings of additional rainfall in Solapur, Parbhani, Nanded, and Dharashiv over the next two days, escalating concerns among cultivators about further damage.
Unresolved Issues: Paddy Bonuses and Compensation Delays
Separately addressing the plight of paddy farmers, Wadettiwar criticized the response from Minister of State Yogesh Kadam to a calling attention motion on farmer distress and the promised bonus as "not satisfactory." He urged the minister to provide a detailed, point-wise response and adopt a positive stance on presenting the matter at the next Cabinet meeting.
"Today, farmers are not receiving even ₹1,500 for their paddy. In such a dire situation, the government must stand behind them and announce ₹20,000 per acre," he asserted. Wadettiwar pointed out that compensation previously announced for excessive rainfall has not yet reached farmers, and the paddy bonus remains unpaid, creating a cycle of unaddressed grievances.
"Previous compensation for excessive rainfall was not yet received, the promised bonus for paddy was not given, and now another crisis has struck," he stated, advocating for immediate cash assistance to bypass procedural delays that exacerbate farmer suffering.
Government Response and Additional Concerns Over Land Survey
In response to the debate, Minister of State Yogesh Kadam assured that the government is taking the issue seriously and is finalizing procedures for issuing a government resolution. He mentioned that a meeting would be convened under the Chief Minister's chairmanship, with a proposal to be placed before the Cabinet for consideration.
Wadettiwar also raised alarms about the Shaktipeeth Highway land survey process, alleging that notices are being pasted on farmers' homes and heavy police deployment is instilling fear among residents. Speaker Rahul Narwekar directed the government to issue a formal statement on this matter to address the growing tensions.
The combined challenges of natural disasters, delayed financial support, and contentious infrastructure projects underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and prompt government action to support Maharashtra's farming community during this critical period.
