The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The Congress party, through its general secretary Jairam Ramesh, has openly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly overlooking the severe issues facing farmers in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region. The accusations were made ahead of Modi’s scheduled rallies in the area, focusing on the significant agricultural and water-related challenges there.
Ramesh highlighted the dire situation in Marathwada, which has the highest recorded farmer suicides in Maharashtra, with 685 farmers taking their lives in the first half of 2023 alone. The region has been battling drought conditions for months, recently worsened by unexpected rains and hailstorms. Despite these adversities, the BJP government has neither declared the situation a national disaster nor announced adequate relief measures.
According to Ramesh, the Godavari and Manjra rivers, vital for the region’s agriculture, remain neglected despite funds allocated for their conservation. He also pointed out the acute drinking water crisis, with water reservoirs at only 19% capacity compared to 40% the previous year, forcing over 600 villages to rely on water tankers.
The Congress leader also criticized the central government’s handling of the onion export ban, which disproportionately affected Maharashtra’s farmers, particularly after a challenging cultivation season marked by inadequate rainfall and subsequent low yields. Ramesh questioned the recent decision to permit white onion exports, primarily benefiting Gujarat, while maintaining restrictions detrimental to Maharashtra’s predominantly red onion farmers.
In his statement, Ramesh called on PM Modi to articulate a clear and effective strategy to address these critical issues, emphasizing the need for stable agricultural policies to ensure the livelihoods of farmers. The Congress has proposed a predictable import-export policy as part of their “Nyay Patra” to safeguard farmers from such erratic policy shifts.
As the Lok Sabha elections approach, these issues remain a significant point of contention, highlighting the ongoing struggle of Marathwada’s farmers and the political debate over resource management and agricultural policy in India.
