Farm sector crisis: Congress in Maharashtra seeks PM Modi's intervention

Mumbai: Accusing the BJP-led government in Maharashtra of ignoring the farm sector crisis caused by the grim drought situation, Congress on Saturday sought intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing relief to farmers in the state. A party delegation led by Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ashok Chavan also called on Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and urged him that a special session of the state Legislature be convened urgently to discuss the grim situation. “PM should intervene since the state government does not seem to be taking enough efforts. There are hollow announcements and nothing concrete on the ground,” Chavan said. Chavan, who discussed the situation with senior party leaders, recalled that Modi has recently announced a financial package for Bihar. [caption id=“attachment_2422720” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representative image. Agencies[/caption] “Modi should intervene to help Maharashtra farmers as well, those who are reeling under drought for last couple of years,” the former chief minister said. “Even a large city like Latur does not have drinking water. The chief minister only announces that water would be brought by railway. However, nothing is happening on that front,” he added. The state Congress chief also said the party is in the process of formulating an action plan to assist the drought- hit people. “We don’t want to politicise the miseries of farmers. But, the party would constructively contribute for their welfare,” he added. He said inputs from district units would be gathered to ascertain the ground situation so that assistance in terms of water, cattle and fodder camps, food for farm labourers can be arranged. He said the Devendra Fadnavis government has not taken the opposition into confidence to tackle the severe drought. “The situation is explosive and could lead to law and order problems in rural areas if corrective steps are not taken,” he warned. The meeting was attended by former Chief Ministers Sushilkumar Shinde, Narayan Rane and Prithviraj Chavan and senior legislators. PTI