Maha farmers stop Minister’s convoy seeking immediate help

NANDED: Farmers suffering crop losses due to heavy rains stopped the convoy of Maharashtra Minister Vijay Wadettiwar in Nanded district on Sunday and demanded that instead of survey tours, the government provide them immediate help.

The farmers also gave a representation to the state disaster management, and relief and rehabilitation minister to declare ‘wet famine,’ and threatened that they would protest in Mumbai if their demands are not fulfilled.

Later, talking to reporters, Wadettiwar, who visited the district to assess damage caused due to heavy rains over the past few days, assured the farmers that those affected by the heavy showers will be provided assistance once the government receives the survey reports. As the minister arrived in Nanded’s Salgara village, some farmers stopped his convoy and said instead of survey tours, they should be provided aid immediately.

Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday said he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek assistance for farmers who have suffered losses due to heavy rains in Maharashtra. The former Union minister visited Kankarbawadi, Sastur villages in Osmanabad district of Marathwada region in the morning and interacted with farmers affected by the heavy rains that lashed parts of state over the past few days.

Rains have claimed at least 48 lives in Pune, Konkan and Aurangabad while crops on lakhs of hectares have been damaged.