Gram Sabhas should pass resolution for farm loan waiver: Oppn

In a bid to mount pressure on the state government, the opposition in Maharashtra today appealed to the gram panchayats to pass a resolution in gram sabhas demanding a farm loan waiver.
"The gram sabhas should pass resolution for farm loan waiver and minimum support price on Maharashtra Foundation day on May 1 and send it to the government," leader of opposition in the assembly, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said at a joint press conference in Kolhapur after launching the third phase of sangharsh yatra.
NCP leaders Ajit Pawar, Sunil Tatkare, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan were present for the press conference.

"If this is done, the government will be under more pressure to take a decision on farm loan waiver," he said.
Hitting out at the government for stopping procurement of tur, Vikhe-Patil said the decision was taken to allow traders "loot" farmers.
"This is nothing but betrayal of farmers as the procurement has been called off when lakhs of tonnes of tur is waiting to be purchased at the centres," he said.

During the three-day yatra, the opposition leaders will travel from Kolhapur to Sangli and Satara districts.
They will meet farmers' groups and address public meetings.
Pawar said that the government was insensitive to the pain of the farmers.

The first phase of the sangharsh yatra had begun from Chandrapur, while the second phase from Buldhana district.
The government has said it would provide loan waiver at an appropriate time. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced that his government would study Uttar Pradesh's model of loan waiver for farmers.