Previous Cong regime didn't accept Swaminathan Commission's

Stating that erstwhile Congress-led UPA government failed to accept Swaminathan Commission's recommendation on an assured rate for agri produce, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said the Congress and NCP should stop criticising the BJP government over welfare of farmers.

Implementation of Swaminathan Commission's report is one of the prominent demands raised by agitating farmers in the state, who launched their stir for various demands on June one.

Addressing a function commemorating three years of Narendra Modi government, the chief minister said the previous Congress government did not accept the Commission's recommendation to offer assured rate to agriculture produce after framing its agriculture policy in 2007.
 

"The Congress and NCP should not criticise the BJP government for not implementing the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission. The Congress government itself did not accept the recommendation of the commission to offer assured rate to agriculture produce when the Congress led-government framed its agriculture policy in 2007," the chief minister said.

Fadnavis said a "strong attempt" was made to politicise the Tur purchase issue in the state.

The opposition parties had accused the state government of messing the tur procurement at a time when the state has witnessed bumper production of pulses, especially tur, this year.

"There was a strong attempt to politicise the Tur issue in Maharashtra. During the UPA regime, a similar scheme was introduced in 2013 when the then state government purchased only 20,000 tonnes of tur. Its purchasing stopped on March 15 and no extension was sought by the then state government.

"Compared to it, for the first time, six lakh tonnes of tur was purchased this time. We got several extensions from Union government to purchase tur through state machinery and we helped farmers," he said while thanking the Centre for its support.

Asserting his government's commitment to the welfare of farmers, the CM said that compared to the earlier regime, the current BJP government has released more relief funds for peasants.

"During its 15-year-long rule, the Congress government gave only Rs 3,000 crore as relief to farmers, whereas we have given Rs 6,000 crore to farmers in the first two years only, which shows our commitment to farmers," he said.

Fadnavis reiterated that some people were trying to politicise the ongoing agitation of farmers.

"We are open for discussions and dialogue with farmers leaders. We are keen on a loan waiver for small and marginal farmers but some people want to keep the agitation going. Some politicians are trying to hide behind farmers' agitation and trying to score over us," he added.