Unseasonal rain destroys 38K ha of crops; new challenge for govt

Unseasonal rains and thunderstorms have wreaked havoc in agricultural fields of western Vidarbha and Mara- thwada causing crop damages of 38,000 hectares. Some of the worst-hit areas, include Washim, Amaravati, Jalna, Sambhaji Nagar and Beed, where crops like maize, onion, fruits and veg- etables are affected.

Political experts say the natu- ral calamity amidst the upcom- ing Lok Sabha election has posed an unexpected challenge for the ruling BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP coalition as farmers expect immediate relief from the state government. Chief minister Eknath Shinde and agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde have already started taking stock of the situation.

In the next fortnight, 13 constituencies, including all 10 in Vidarbha region will vote in the first two phases. Most of these constituencies have agriculture as a major occupation. As such, the unhappiness among farmers could become a damaging factor for BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP. Sensing this, chief minister Shinde and agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde stepped in to take relief measures for farmers. CM Shinde spoke to the district collectors reviewed the situation and asked the administration to take necessary action immediately to give relief to the farmers.

Shinde also asked the additional chief secretary in the chief minister’s office, IS Chahal, to request the ECI to exempt relief measures from the code of conduct. Munde visited several villages in Marathwada to assess the losses of crops and also met farmers there. “Those farmers who have insured their crops should file the crop loss reports to the insurance companies,” he said.