Farmers' agitation: Prithviraj Chavan urges PM to recall Maha delegation touring Australia

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress MLA Prithviraj Chavan on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to recall the set of ministers who had gone abroad in wake of the agitating Tur dal farmers.

"I request you to please ask the Chief Minister immediately recall the two ministers back to their duty. The legislative delegation led by the Hon. Speaker could continue on their official visit. I am sure you will appreciate the seriousness of the matter and take appropriate steps," stated the letter.

His appeal further said that the tur producing farmers are agitating and numbers of them have committed suicide for procurement at MSP throughout the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, which is a serious issue and demands the government's attention.

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister, Pandurang Fundkar and Food and Public Distribution Minister have gone abroad as a part of the Legislative Delegation which is led by the Speaker to Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Earlier, the Central government had refused to extend the deadline for procurement of the crop at the minimum support price to prevent loss to the farmers.

The government has procured only around 3.99 lakh tonnes of the total production of 20.35 lakh tonnes in the state.