NCP legislator Sunil Tatkare today challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prove his allegation that only certain banks and farmers benefitted from the loan waiver scheme of the Congress-led UPA regime.
Speaking on farm loan waiver (demanded by Congress and NCP) in the legislative council, Tatkare said his party is ready to face any inquiry into the matter.
While replying to debate on farmer suicides and loan waiver demand, Chief Minister Fadnavis had alleged that the beneficiaries of UPA's loan waiver were "select farmers and some banks from the Western Maharashtra region."
Tatkare dismissed the allegation and said if the Chief Minister felt there was a misuse of government funds in the loan waiver scheme, he should order inquiry.
"As the Maharashtra unit president of NCP, I challenge the CM to inquire into the misuse of funds. But at the same time I request him not to say no to a package for farmers to waive debts citing the previous government's scheme and its misuse," Tatkare said.
The BJP-led government had narrowed criterion for giving aid to farmers, he alleged. "During the Congress-NCP regime, farmers with land-holding of two and a half hectares were eligible for aid from the state. But the Fadnavis government has reduced the limit to one acre," Tatkare said.
He also criticised the government for announcing an aid of Rs 1,500 per hectare land for re-sowing. "The aid comes to just Rs 600 per acre. Is it possible for farmers to sow again with such a meagre help?" he asked.
The former NCP minister also attacked the government over its decision to consider waiving off road toll and Local Body Tax and said the government was differentiating between traders and farmers.
"Enough is enough. If you do not announce a complete loan waiver for farm loans, NCP will organise a statewide protest," he said.
