Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis conceded that the agriculture sector has declined in the last three years due to natural calamities.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis conceded that the agriculture sector has declined in the last three years due to natural calamities. He even said that the state is facing the worst agriculture crisis and claimed that only sustainable irrigation efforts will help, not packages.
“The state is facing the worst agriculture crisis and it is worrisome. Drought for three consecutive years has left a bad impact on the state. But one needs to change farming techniques to make it sustainable in changing times,” Mr Fadnavis said, while replying to discussions by all party members in the Assembly on the governor’s speech.
Admitting that there was a goof-up in the number of farmers’ suicides figures sent to the Centre, the chief minister on Thursday said that suicides continued even after distributing packages. He also added that the party is not seeking votes by giving out packages.
“Yes, it was a mistake from our side. The figures of farmers’ suicides which were sent to the Centre were unclear. The National Crime Bureau record is the only authentic report considered on the suicides. It has shown that despite package distribution by the previous government, the suicides have not reduced. The package is just one of the measures,” Mr Fadnavis said. He was referring to Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh’s statement in last July about the farmers’ suicide figures.
“The packages can bring votes, but it does not make any change to the lives of farmers. But if the same amount is used for irrigation, constructing wells, giving agriculture pumps then the farmers will not commit suicides,” he said. The CM also boasted that his ambitious Jalyukta Shivar Scheme has brought 3.42 lakh hectare land under irrigation in Vidarbha and Marathwada.
Defending the state government’s decision to protect illegal structures, Mr Fadnavis on Thursday said developers who construct such buildings would be held responsible. He said that the move would curb illegal constructions and spell out measures to be taken against them.
