No coercive recovery from drought-hit farmers, action will follow, warns Agriculture Minister Bharane

Farmers in Maharashtra are facing severe hardship because of drought and crop losses. In view of this, the state government has taken an important decision to give relief to farmers in distress. Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane said clear orders have been issued that no loans or other dues be recovered from farmers in this difficult period.

Bharane said the DDR (District Deputy Registrar) has been informed immediately. According to him, this is a hard time for farmers. No one should carry out recovery during this drought, and if anyone is found doing so, the government will take action against them. The Agriculture Minister has made his stand on the matter clear.

The minister also said that it is October and the rains last until June. But with farmers facing a drought crisis, the government will try to get help to them as early as possible, said Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane.

On the instructions given to the District Deputy Registrar, Bharane said they have been given directions at once. If anyone tries to recover money from farmers by force during this difficult drought period, the government will take legal action against them, the Agriculture Minister warned.

Giving the status of panchnama work, Bharane said 81 per cent of the panchnama work has been completed. He said work covering 1 crore 50 lakh hectares has been finished. The remaining work will be done in the next four to five days.

On assistance, the Agriculture Minister assured that farmers will be helped through crop insurance, as well as through the Agriculture Department and the Water Conservation Department. Bharane reiterated that this is a difficult time for the state's farmers.