The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has threatened to launch a stir against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led State government in Maharashtra if it fails to provide relief to farmers in the next 15 days.
An NCP delegation, led by party chief Sharad Pawar, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday with a charter of demands for succour to farmers in the Marathwada region. This area has suffered heavy losses due to drought and has registered a large number of farmer suicides.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Chief Minister said: “We have ensured that the farmers won’t be burdened with interest on their existing loans. The decision about loan waiver will be taken by June 15.”
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Following the NCP’s threat, the State Cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday approved financial aid of Rs. 200 crore to the farmers who lost their crops due to hailstorm and unseasonal rain. A sum of Rs. 364.26 crore would be distributed to aid horticulture in Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad and Nagpur divisions. Mr. Pawar was on a three-day tour of five districts in Marathwada and discussed the condition of the area with Mr. Fadnavis during his meeting.