Congress today targeted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the damage caused to crops in Beed due to heavy rains, with opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil demanding that "wet drought" be declared in the district which falls in Marathwada region.
Taking a swipe at the Chief Minister, Patil said he should visit Beed instead of "attending a string of inauguration events."
Demanding that "wet drought" be declared, the Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly said the criteria for filing the online form under crop insurance scheme should be done away with for the benefit of farmers.
"The government should have announced a wet drought much earlier. In the last three years, farmers bore the brunt of drought and now due to heavy rains they are facing severe economic crisis," the Congress leader said even as he reiterated his demand for loan waiver and concessions in power tariff for agriculturists.
Patil is on tour of flood-affected areas in Beed district, where he interacted with farmers today.
He said farmers have complained about various conditions being put up by private insurance companies about filing online forms.
"Situation in Beed district is serious, with farmers facing heavy crop loss. Despite tall assurances made in the Marathwada package, farmers have got nothing so far," he said.
He said the Crop Insurance Scheme was introduced by the previous Congress-NCP government to protect farmers' crops in time of crisis.
"We put farmers interest on priority, but the BJP-led government is empowering private insurance companies. Due to certain strict conditions, farmers will not benefit. Instead of demanding online forms for claims, money should be directly deposited in farmers' bank accounts," Patil said.
He alleged that BJP's ruling partner, the Shiv sena has no concern for farmers.
"BJP's focus is only on (create) smart cities. Another BJP ally, Shetkari Sanghtana has forgotten farmers after the party got representation in the state ministry," Patil claimed.
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