Maharashtra Government today directed the District Collectors of drought-hit Osmanabad, Beed and Latur to temporarily shutdown cattle fodder camps, a decision which was disapproved by a BJP Minister and invited criticism from the Opposition.
The Government cited availability of ample local cattle fodder for the next three months to temporary close down the camps, started by the administration after drought was declared in these Marathwada districts last year.
In a directive to the Collectors of the three districts, the Government referred to their reports in which they have stated that fodder from Rabbi season crops shall last for another three months.
Since the available fodder will last till May 2016, the state-run cattle fodder camps be temporarily closed, it said in a circular.
After May, the government will take stock of the situation and if there is a shortage of cattle fodder, it may start the camps once again, it said. The Collectors were also directed to ensure that adequate stock of cattle fodder is available in the summer months.
The circular evoked opposition from within the Government with Minister for Rural Development Pankaja Munde calling for a rethink on the decision.
In a statement, Munde said she has spoken to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and urged him not to allow closure of these cattle camps.
The Chief Minister's response was positive, said Munde, who is also Guardian Minister of Beed and Latur districts. Munde suggested on-site inspection of cattle fodder camps before arriving at a decision to close them.
Opposition NCP criticised the Fadnavis Government over the decision, saying it may lead to suicide by already distressed farmers. "The decision will force farmers to commit suicide and the blame shall be on the Government," said NCP member and Leader of Opposition in Council Dhananjay Munde.
The decision will lead to cattle dying due to lack of fodder and water, he said in a statement and warned of an agitation by NCP if the decision was not rolled back.
"Until now because of availability of fodder and water in these camps, the cattle were able to survive. If they go back to villages they will neither get fodder or water," Dhananjay said in a statement.
Taking a jibe at the BJP-led administration, the NCP leader said it appears to have been blinded by the glitz and razzmatazz surrounding the Make in India event and forgotten that some parts of Maharashtra are in grip of drought.
