Maha govt's Rs 11 crore assistance to farmers meagre: NCP

The NCP Wednesday termed as "meagre" the Maharashtra government's Rs 11 crore assistance to farmers, whose crops were hit by unseasonal rains in April-May this year.

NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik said the "inadequate" help underscored the "anti-farmer" policy of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre and Devendra Fadnavis dispensation in the state.

Malik accused both the governments of indulging in 'jumlebazi' (rhetoric).

"The assistance announced is meagre...They have rubbed salt on the wounds of farmers," Malik told reporters here.

The NCP leader said that before becoming the prime minister, Modi had visited hailstorm-hit farms in Vidarbha's Wardha district in March 2014 and expressed concern over the losses suffered by farmers despite the then Congress-NCP government announcing adequate help to them.

"Modi ji had then said 'change the government, we would help'. But the help the Fadnavis government has announced now shows the policy of Modi ji, Devendra ji and the BJP towards farmers," Malik said.

He accused the government of not giving complete farm loan waiver and not taking requisite steps to tackle the drought-like situation in the state.

"It is clear that this is an anti-farmer government," Malik said.

He said according to a Government Resolution (GR) dated December 18, monetary assistance of Rs 8,14,98,540 was announced to farmers, whose crops and fruits were affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorm in 25 districts of the state in April this year.

Similarly, the government announced Rs 2,93,00,655 help to farmers, whose produces were damaged by unseasonal rain and hailstorm in 13 districts in the month of May, he added.

Among those who stand benefited by the help include a farmer each from Nashik and Wardha, six from Hingoli and 10 each from some other districts, the former Maharashtra minister noted.