The chief minister is misleading everyone by issuing anti-farmer statements alleges opposition and BJP ally as they disrupt the functioning of the assembly.
Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana chief Raju Shetti and leader of opposition in the state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil has criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for making irresponsible statements pertaining to waiver of farmers’ loan. The opposition has been disrupting the proceedings of the assembly by raising the loan waiver issue. Even Shiv Sena has joined them to corner the state government. After facing a scathing attack from opposition for his government’s failure to waive farmers’ loan Fadnavis had said that will farmer suicides end if their loans are written off. Fadnavis had pointed out that the government supports loan waiver but it will create a fiscal burden.
“As a responsible politician I am aware that loan waiver won’t address all problems faced by farmers. For resolving their hardships political will is necessary and this government has completely failed to tackle farmer suicides. Ever since the Fadnavis government has come to power there has been a sharp rise in the number of farmer’s suicides,” said Raju Shetti.
Leader of opposition in the state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil has said, “The chief minister is misleading everyone by issuing anti-farmer statements in the assembly. The government is not bothered about the hardships faced by farmers. Instead of waiving off farm loans the government is only pointing fingers at the opposition. We won’t allow the assembly to function until the government takes a positive step in the interest of farmers.”
“There is no point in the chief minister meeting prime minister and instead the government must write off farmers’ loan. Fadnavis should have prepared an estimated amount required for loan waiver and also mentioned about the contribution to be made by the centre before interacting with the prime minister. There is lack of clarity on his party pertaining to resolving this issue,” he added.
Fadnavis had mentioned that after loan waiver around 16,000 farmers have committed suicide. Thus will loan waiver be able to resolve the hardships faced by farmers he asked. He accused the Congress-NCP of shedding crocodile tears over the problems faced by farmers. The CM also added that the opposition is trying to derive political mileage out of this issue as they had received a severe drubbing in the recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election and civic body polls across the state. He blamed the Congress-NCP which had ruled the state for 15 years for the plight of farmers.
He said if loan waiver is announced, the government will have no money for investment in agriculture sector. “Farmers became debt-ridden within a year of the loan waiver. After the previous loan waiver, banks did not find the farmers credit worthy for fresh loans,” the CM said.
