Govt orders post-mortem for hailstorm-hit livestock
Opposition calls it a bizarre move and terms it a ploy to keep farmers away from getting any compensation; Fear of sickness spreading looms large among villagers
Opposition parties, mainly Congress and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna (SSS) have slammed the decision of government officials to conduct a post-mortem on livestocks which died in the hailstorm. The livestock that were found dead in villages have caused fears of spreading disease. Raju Shetti, leader of SSS, the party in alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has distanced himself from the BJP since the past few months, attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his rally at Latur on Thursday. Shetti recalled assurance given by Modi in 2014 in his Vidarbha tour after taking office of PM. “In his visit at Dabhadi village in Yeotmal district, Modi during ‘chai pe charcha’ with farmers had assured henceforth not a single farmer will commit suicide. But, number of farmers from the same village had committed suicide,” said Shetti. He added, Modi or any other party leader had failed to visit the village. Shetti termed Modi government as a ‘liar government’.
Shetti sarcastically said after chai pe charcha, Modi government is likely to begin ‘kheti pe charcha’ a talk show on agriculture and farming. He demanded a compensation of Rs 25000 for crop on irrigated land and Rs 15000 for crops on non-irrigated land.
Ashok Chavan, president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee raised objection on notice issued by a talathi (revenue department official) in Jalna district to conduct postmortem of livestock including hens. Chavan alleged the order is nothing, but a ploy to keep farmers away from the compensation.
Chavan and the congress delegation met Shivaji Jondhale, Jalna district collector and brought the issue before him. Radhakrishna VikhePatil, leader of opposition in legislative assembly demanded immediate relief to the farmers. He warned, if government failed to disburse compensation amount before the budget session which is scheduled for February 26, the opposition will corner government.