Provide relief to farmers or face protests: NCP to Fadnavis

NCP leaders said they will hold protests if farmers don't get a loan waiver and crop insurance amount in next eight days

Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar today met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking relief to farmers affected by drought across the state.

Soon after the meeting, held at the state government's Sahyadri guest house in Malabar Hill, NCP leaders announced they will take to the streets against the BJP-led government in the state if it failed to help distressed farmers.

"During Pawar's recent visit to drought-hit areas of Marathwada, he was informed by people and farmers about the problems faced by them. We have submitted a list of grievances of the common man and farmers in Marathwada to the chief minister," Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde told reporters.

"The Government has failed to deliver in the last five-six months. Farmers want money for sowing operations. They don't have a single penny as there is drought in the region in last three years," Munde said.

"NCP has sought loan waiver for affected farmers. If farmers don't get a loan waiver and crop insurance amount in next eight days, we will take to the streets," Munde said.

Former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said the state government should take a decision on fair and remunerative price (FRP) to sugarcane growers.

NCP leader and former minister Rajesh Tope said NCP activists will hold protests at the divisional headquarters in Aurangabad and later on at district and tehsil offices.

"There should be a complete farm loan waiver for the affected five districts of Marathwada," he said.