Will Cong MLA Wadettiwar Pledge Six Months' Salary to Aid Rain-Hit Farmers?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Vijay Wadettiwar pledges six months' salary to support farmers.
- Government's aid deemed insufficient by Wadettiwar.
- Farmers face severe crop losses due to rain and diseases.
- Calls for compensation of Rs 50,000 per hectare.
- Criticism of the government's response to the agricultural crisis.
New Delhi/Nagpur, Sep 25 (NationPress) Following the announcement by the ruling MahaYuti leaders, including BJP's Maharashtra chief Ravindra Chavan and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, who stated they would contribute one month's salary to aid farmers affected by heavy rains in Maharashtra, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar declared on Thursday that he would donate his six months' salary to support the distressed farmers.
Highlighting the extensive damage to crops, Vijay Wadettiwar remarked, "One month's salary is insufficient; a donation of six months' income is warranted."
He emphasized the significant losses farmers have faced due to the relentless rains, urging everyone to assist farmers as much as possible to alleviate their suffering.
After the recent rains and flooding, crops have also been impacted by the yellow mosaic virus, adding to the challenges faced by farmers, according to the Congress leader during his media address.
He called for the Agriculture Minister to carry out a comprehensive assessment of crop losses and to announce compensation of Rs 50,000 per hectare.
Wadettiwar asserted that if the Maharashtra government fails to provide assistance, it will bear responsibility for the hardships faced by farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada.
Earlier, he criticized the small amount pledged by the Maharashtra government as a "cruel joke."
The Congress and NCP-SP have urged the government to declare a "wet drought" in the state.
Interestingly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the government has already allocated Rs 2,215 crore in financial aid to 31.64 lakh farmers.
According to the Chief Minister, Rs 1,829 crore has been distributed at the district level and will be credited to farmers' bank accounts within the next 8 to 10 days.
Regarding the fire incident at the BJP office in Leh and the BJP's claims linking Congress to it, Wadettiwar stated, "These claims are unfounded and misleading. It reflects public opposition to their 'jumlebaazi'. What is the Central government doing?"
He criticized the NDA's assertion about infiltrators in Bihar, questioning the government's effectiveness after being in power for the last 11 years.