Maha govt did injustice to Konkan farmers: Nitesh Rane

Congress leader Nitesh Rane today took potshots at BJP government over the drought relief package announced for farmers, saying he will send a box of rotten mangoes to every Maharashtra cabinet minister to highlight plight of farmers in the coastal Konkan region.
"Nearly 50 per cent of mangoes grown in Konkan region were damaged due to unseasonal rains, extreme cold and erratic climate. During the Assembly session, the government announced a financial package for the farmers. But surprisingly, there was no mention of the Konkan region," Nitesh, first-term MLA from Kankavli and son of former minister Narayan Rane, told reporters here.

He said the Rs 2000-crore package announced by the Centre for farmers was grossly insufficient.
"The government should not forget that they have bagged 23 seats from this region. Yet, farmers have not received any financial benefits. This is gross injustice," he said.
Nitesh said a box full of rotten mangoes grown in Konkan will serve as a "reminder" to government that they will not be allowed to do injustice to people of the region.
"They had spoken a lot about (Narayan) Rane not doing anything for Konkan region. What has happened to government now? Why these double standards? I hope these boxes of mangoes open their eyes," Nitesh said.

"If they still fail to do a proper panchnama of losses and provide financial help, I have other ways to lodge protests. The (Assembly) session is also coming up," he said when asked to comment on his next move if government fails to look into his demands.