Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday urged Prahar Janshakti Party leader Bachchu Kadu to hold talks with the government over farmers’ issues instead of resorting to agitations that inconvenience the public and risk being misused by ‘vested interests.’
According to the news agency PTI, while speaking to reporters a day after Kadu led a tractor rally in Nagpur demanding a complete farm loan waiver and other reliefs, Fadnavis said the government was open to dialogue and had already shown a positive approach.
“The government had earlier scheduled a meeting to discuss these issues. Kadu initially agreed but later backed out, which led to the meeting’s cancellation,” he said, adding that Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had since reached out to Kadu to resume talks.
“He has raised many issues that can’t be solved through protests. Constructive discussion is the only way forward,” Fadnavis said, appealing to Kadu to avoid road blockades that cause hardship to the public, including patients.
“Agitations often attract elements with vested interests who can turn them violent. The government will not permit protests like ‘rail roko’,” he warned.
As per PTI, reaffirming his government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare, Fadnavis said a Rs 32,000-crore package had already been announced for cultivators.
On the demand for a complete loan waiver, he said a committee had been formed to examine the matter. “Our current focus is on helping farmers affected by heavy rains. We have never opposed loan waivers,” he added.
“The is ready to discuss every issue concerning farmers,” Fadnavis said.
‘Unhappy’ with delay in flood relief disbursal, Maharashtra CM directs officials to ensure timely aid
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday expressed displeasure over the delay in disbursing financial assistance to farmers and citizens affected by recent floods and instructed officials to ensure that the relief reaches beneficiaries without further delay, news agency PTI reported, quoting sources.
Fadnavis gave the directions during a cabinet meeting held in , where several ministers reportedly raised concerns about the slow pace of financial aid distribution, PTI reported.
According to officials familiar with the developments, CM Fadnavis was upset to learn that fund transfers had been stalled in some districts because district collectors were on leave during Diwali, which led to delays in signing disbursement orders.
“The CM was categorical that such excuses will not be accepted in future,” a senior official who attended the meeting said, adding, “He also instructed the chief secretary to hold the officers concerned accountable and ensure that financial assistance reaches the beneficiaries without any further delay.”
Sources said the CM made it clear that the overall responsibility for ensuring the smooth transfer of relief funds would rest with the chief secretary.
Earlier this month, the had announced a Rs 31,628-crore compensation package for farmers who suffered heavy losses due to rains and floods during this year’s monsoon season.
The package covers compensation for crop losses, property damage, soil erosion, hospitalisation, ex gratia payments, and support for damaged houses, shops, and cattle sheds.
Twenty-nine of Maharashtra’s 36 districts and 253 of 358 talukas were affected by heavy rainfall, Fadnavis had said earlier.