Unseasonal rains destroyed crops on 13.8K ha

Eight districts were badly hit, Fadnavis tells House; orders issued for immediate release of aid to state farmers

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Unseasonal rains have damaged mango, wheat and harbhara (Bengal gram) crops across 13,729 hectares in eight districts of the state, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Assembly on Wednesday. Orders have been issued for the immediate release of aid to farmers hit by the rains, he added.

Maximum damage has been reported from Palghar, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Dhule, Buldhana and Washim districts, he said.

“Orders to release immediate relief and financial assistance have been issued,” said Fadnavis.

A decision on immediate relief was taken on Tuesday night based on preliminary infor- mation, even as the exact extent of damage is being ascertained, he said.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s office said that he had spoken with the chief secretary and a few district collectors about the damage to crops. He had also instructed revenue officials to conduct the damage assessment survey of the affected areas, his office had

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6-YEAR-OLD said. On Wednesday, Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar raised the issue and demanded that the government spell out how it plans to mitigate the hardships of farmers who lost their standing crops due to unseasonal rains, thunderstorms, hailstorms and lightning. Addressing the media before the start of House proceedings, Pawar had said, “Maha -

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rashtra’s farmers have suffered a lot in the past three days due to unseasonal rains. We’ll raise the issue of compensation to farmers in the Assembly today. Today, the state government must come forward to support and compensate the farmers.”

“We have given adjournment notice in the Assembly on the issue of compensation to the farmers,” the Ma -

MAHA GOVT MUST HELP FARMERS: LOP AJIT PAWAR

Addressing the media before the start of House proceedings, Pawar had said, “Maharashtra’s farmers have suffered a lot in the past three days due to unseasonal rains.

We’ll raise the issue of compensation to farmers in Assembly today. Today, the state government must come forward to support and compensate the farmers.” “We have given adjournment notice in the Assembly on the issue of compensation to the farmers,” the Maharashtra LoP further said.

harashtra LoP further said.

“There was a forecast of rain for these 3 days everywhere. Now, the government should focus on ensuring the materialisation of the farm insurance claims,” he added.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Chhagan Bhujbal said when the state celebrated Holi with colours on Tuesday, it was a black day for farmers.

Congress’ Nana Patole demanded that the Lower House set aside the business of the day to discuss the measures needed to provide relief to farmers.