Rohit Pawar in Gondia – Bhandara tour addressing farmers
Pawar pointed out that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ’ govt promised Rs25,000 a hectare as paddy bonus before elections in 2024. Earlier this year during the assembly session, we were told Rs 20,000 would be given, but even that hasn’t come in six months,” he said. “It’s bought at Rs 3,500 a quintal by the state and central govts together, against Rs2,300 here. “Rainfall is down 45 to 50% in Vidarbha and 60% in Marathwada. Wherever the deficit is over 10%, drought should be declared.
“Once they won, they forgot the farmer.
If they’ve studied it, that rate should apply to us too,” he said. If you can’t manage it, vacate your chairs,” he said. Farmers need at least Rs50,000 a hectare, and farm labourers need Rs25,000 per family,” he said and warned, “This agitation will spread to Marathwada, western Maharashtra and Khandesh over the next month.
He added that govt sent BJP MLC Parinay Fuke, a close aide of Fadnavis, to Chhattisgarh for studying how paddy is procured there and how much farmers are getting paid. Waiving loans was not a favour, it was govt’s duty and the farmer’s right. The bonus is farmer’s right too. Govt will not be able to manage it.”