The Congress and NCP on Tuesday stalled proceedings in both the Houses over farmers’ issue.
The Congress and NCP on Tuesday stalled proceedings in both the Houses over farmers’ issue. While the government was ready to discuss the matter, the opposition parties said they were not interested in discussions until the government declares complete loan waiver for farmers.
The Legislative Assembly witnessed the pandemonium as soon as the proceedings started at 11am. Leader of Opposition made the demand for loan waiver for farmers and he was supported by all the Congress and NCP legislators.
Raising the issue, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil accused the Maharashtra government of inept handling of the drought situation and ignoring the plight of farmers. “More than 3,000 farmers have committed suicide and
even then the state government has not demanded any help from the Centre. There is a written reply by the Central government which was given in Lok Sabha stating that Maharashtra was not given any aid from National Disaster Relief Fund because there was no demand from the state government,” Mr Vikhe Patil said.
He insisted that the state government must announce the loan waiver for farmers, as it is the only way of providing immediate relief to distressed farmers and stop their suicides.
However, Shiv Sena MLA Gulabrao Patil accused the Congress and NCP of playing politics over the issue. “The ruling parties have proposed a discussion on the issue and the opposition parties are very well aware of it. But instead of participating in the discussion, which will be held today itself, and suggest measures to tackle the situation they are disrupting the House proceedings,” he said. The Shiv Sena MLA also said the Congress does not want the House to work because the party had organised a rally in Nagpur and all of its legislators wanted to attend the rally.
On behalf of the government, revenue minister Eknath Khadse urged the Speaker to suspend the Question Hour and take up the issue and expressed willingness to discuss it threadbare.
Finding the opposition in no mood to relent after it had forced two adjournments till noon, Speaker Haribhau Bagde adjourned the House for the day. The Legislative Council was also adjourned for the day over the same issue as the Congress and NCP remained firm on its stand of not letting the House work till their demand for loan waiver was met with.
