Maharashtra govt should declare entire state as drought-hit, help farmers, says Vijay Wadettiwar

Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar. File Pic

Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday demanded that the government declare the whole state drought-hit instead of highlighting the water scarcity in 40-odd tehsils, reported news agency PTI.

The Congress leader from Vidarbha, in a statement, claimed that most of the districts in the state have received below-average rainfall and the government is cheating farmers who need support, reported PTI.

"Most of the districts in Maharashtra have received below-average rainfall. The soya bean production will dip because of the yellow mosaic disease, while the production of cotton is also estimated to remain on the lower side because of insufficient rains," he said.

Vijay Wadettiwar said the government should declare the entire state as drought-hit and take steps accordingly, reported PTI.

"The state government has maintained that a scarcity-like situation prevails in only 40 to 42 tehsils. This is nothing but cheating farmers who are in desperate need of the state's support," Wadettiwar said.

He further alleged that the state government was conspiring against farmers by downplaying the severity of the water scarcity situation and its impact on production, reported PTI.

"Local government officials are being pressurised to report minimum losses of crops so that the state won't have to demand financial assistance from the Union government. It also seems that the state government is keen on protecting the interests of crop insurance companies than that of the farmers who have opted for it," the Congress leader claimed.

Revenue officials are also under pressure to show more than 50 per cent crop production in their regions to minimise the crop loss claims by farmers, he said.

The Maharashtra government should follow in the footsteps of the Karnataka government and declare the state as drought-hit and help farmers, Wadettiwar said, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, senior Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said the Maharashtra government should take a decision on exempting four-wheelers and light motor vehicles from paying toll tax in the state, reported the PTI.

The leader of opposition in Maharashtra assembly made this demand days after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray warned the state government that his party workers would set toll booths on fire in the state if they are stopped from ensuring that small vehicles are exempted from paying toll charges.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Vijay Wadettiwar said, "Deputy chief minister (Devendra Fadnavis) has very clearly said that the government does not charge toll fees from four-wheelers and light motor vehicles. Now, they (government) should implement it properly, because the toll is being collected at the toll booths at present," as per the PTI.

"Toll for four-wheelers and light vehicles should be exempted at all toll booths across Maharashtra," he said.

Earlier, Wadettiwar, while speaking to reporters had said, "The stand taken by MNS chief Raj Thackeray is apt. I extend my support to his proposed agitation. We would also like to know how the amount collected at the toll booths is utilised."

Vijay Wadettiwar also slammed the Eknath Shinde-led dispensation, claiming that it was recruiting staff in agriculture, health, revenue and police departments on a contract basis.

"What will the candidates do after the contract period ends? The recruitment for important posts in government departments was never done in this manner in the past," he said, adding that the youth in the state would pull this government down.

"I want to assure the youth in the state that if we (Maha Vikas Aghadi) come to power again, then the government will cancel all the contractual appointments and recruit the staff directly," the Congress leader said.

(With inputs from PTI)