Maharashtra: Opposition MLAs stage walkout from Assembly over crop loss of farmers

Opposition parties on Monday staged a walkout against an “unsatisfactory” reply of the Maharashtra government in the assembly to issues of farmers, including the damage caused to their crops by unseasonal rains and hailstorms.

Recent inclement weather has destroyed crops of wheat, soybean, banana, grapes, pomegranate, mango, onion, spinach and peanuts in various parts of Maharashtra.

Farmers suffered heavy losses due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms

Soon after the assembly proceedings began at 11am, Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar, who belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party, said farmers had incurred heavy losses due to the bad weather. “There is a strike of state government and semi-government employees, who are demanding the old pension scheme. Therefore, there are no government employees available to conduct crop panchanama in rain-affected areas. Without panchanama, how will farmers get financial aid from the government?” he said.

“Eight people and hundreds of livestock died in the recent rains and hailstorms. The government should resolve the issues with employees as soon as possible and complete the crop panchanama,” he said.

In her address to the assembly, NCP legislator Jayant Patil said: “Farmers have incurred huge losses. Marathwada, Vidarbha, western Maharashtra have suffered crop losses. If state employees are on strike then the government should declare immediate financial aid per acre and release money into farmers’ account.”

Congress demands financial aid for farmers

Congress MLA Balasaheb Thorat supported Pawar and Patil and demanded financial aid for farmers.

Revenue and Animal Husbandry Minister Radhakrishnan Vikhe-Patil informed the assembly that the government agreed with the opposition’s demands. “We have asked officials to conduct a survey. We will ensure that the damage assessment reports are finalised and signed by officials. Once we receive the details of farmers who lost their crops, we will disburse some assistance to them,” he said.

However, Pawar and other opposition legislators staged a walkout, saying the government’s reply was unsatisfactory.