Congress-NCP: Are farmers criminal?

Mumbai: Accusing the BJP-led Maharashtra government of treating the hailstorm-hit farmers as criminals, opposition Congress-NCP on Tuesday demanded that it should stop the practice of taking photographs of farmers with slates in their hands as part of assessment of damaged crops. The statement came after the farmers were seen holding a slate with their names to click a photo for hailstorm compensation.

State Congress chief Ashok Chavan tweeted that local authorities are making farmers stand with a slate with their names written on it near the damaged crops, and clicking pictures as part of the panchnama (assessment) process. He also posted a picture of a woman in Chincholi Bhuyar village of Osmanabad district,  holding a slate with her name written on it. “Are the farmers criminals? Is the government in its senses,” Mr Chavan asked.   

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council and NCP leader Dhana-njay Munde demanded that the practice of clicking photographs with slates be stopped immediately.  “Despite facing heavy losses due to hailstorm, the government has not announced any relief package for the farmers. The opposition demanded a compensation of  Rs 50,000 per hectare.