Why SSS is mum over farmers' issues now? Vikhe Patil

Senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil today questioned Raju Shetty-led Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana's (SSS) silence over the problems faced by soybean and onion farmers as well as milk producers despite it being a part of the ruling dispensation in Maharashtra.
Vikhe-Patil, who is Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, also demanded that the state government should conduct a panchanama (assessment) of these crops to ensure that farmers get proper compensation.
Addressing a rally at Shirdi in Ahmednagar district, he also accused the Centre and state government of having their "anti-farmer policy and inactive governance".
"The BJP government is changing the name of schemes which were brought by our (Cong) government. Though they have changed the names, the aim and the targeted beneficiaries remain the same. This proves that BJP government is pushing policies and schemes of Congress government and failed to bring any new scheme during almost two years of their rule in Centre as well as in the state," Vikhe-Patil said.

Speaking on the loss of soya beans, onions crops and milk, he said farmers are in trouble and government should support them in terms of cash compensation.
"Onion producers in Nashik area had sold onion at mere 5 paise per kg. This is shameful for the government. Farmers are committing suicide so state should have given priority to waive their loans," he demanded.

He attacked the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena for engaging in each other's criticism when the state was once again facing the threat of drought.
"The state government is killing the cooperative movement. They are destroying sugar mills as well as market committees. They have revoked export policy of sugar and ultimately loans owed by sugar mills could not be restructured," he said.

"Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, which had organised protests for hike in rates of sugarcane, is now keeping mum on the problems faced by soybean, onion and milk producers due to crop losses. They have left the farmers to fend for themselves," he said.
While Raju Shetty is an MP, his colleague Sadabhau Khot is the Minister of State for Agriculture in Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government.