Sapkal demands Rs 1 lakh per hectare and full loan waiver for drought-hit farmers in Washim

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal visited Washim district on Friday, October 15, and toured fields to see the impact of drought. He demanded that the state government give farmers Rs 1 lakh per hectare and waive their loans in full. He shared details of the visit in a post on his social media account.

Farmers in the state are battling drought. The state government has declared drought in several areas and fields are being inspected. Leaders of all parties are visiting drought-affected areas to take stock of the situation. Sapkal, too, has been visiting such areas in recent days to understand the farmers' difficulties.

Sapkal said, "While assessing the drought at Pandav Umra, Tandli (taluka and district Washim), a young farmer broke down. There were tears in his eyes, the arhar crop was drying up in front of him, there was a shortage of fodder, there was the responsibility of his sister's wedding and a mountain of debt on his head. The anguish of this farmer, who is watching the crop he raised like his own child being ruined before his eyes, is heartbreaking."

Addressing the Chief Minister, he said, "Putting Rs 5,000 in farmers' hands will not end their pain. How will the cost of seed, fertiliser, medicine, labour and debt fit into this meagre help? Go beyond clicking photographs in the fields and take a firm decision now. Farmers do not want speeches or assurances; they want the help that is their right. If you cannot wipe the farmers' tears, at least do not mock their suffering."

Sapkal further said he went directly to the fields at Malegaon in Washim district and saw the heat of the drought. According to him, the rain failed for more than 75 days, which ruined the kharif season. Crops were scorched, production fell and the morsel that had reached the farmers' mouths was snatched away. He said it was the government's responsibility to give farmers strong support in such a crisis.

Questioning the Devendra Fadnavis government, he said, "The government that made announcements to sweeten Diwali has rubbed salt on the farmers' wounds by announcing a paltry advance aid of Rs 5,000. Is this help or a cruel joke on farmers?"

Sapkal said, "Farmers do not want the balm of announcements; they want compensation for their losses. Give equal help of Rs 1 lakh per hectare to all, waive loans in full and start fodder camps for animals immediately. Stop the series of surveys and meetings and deposit the aid directly into farmers' accounts. Mockery of the farmers' crisis will not be tolerated. The Congress's struggle will continue and intensify until farmers get justice."

MLA Amit Zanak, Washim district Congress committee president Vitthal Chaudhari and state general secretary Dilip Sarnaik were present on the occasion, along with Congress office-bearers and workers.