The Uddhav camp approached the Supreme Court which refused to stay the EC order. (File photo: PTI)
However, the opposition walked out demanding Rs 500-700 per quintal as subsidy for onion farmers. They shouted slogans calling the government anti-farmer.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 300 per quintal to farmers amid daily fall in onion prices in wholesale markets.
Speaking in the assembly, Shinde said, “Onion farmers will get some relief from this subsidy as red kharif onion is grown not only in Maharashtra but also in other states.”
The state had appointed a committee to study the issue and make recommendations to resolve it. The committee suggested payment of Rs 200-300 per quintal.
However, the opposition walked out demanding Rs 500-700 per quintal as subsidy for onion farmers. They shouted slogans calling the government anti-farmer.
stormy session
The combined opposition Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been targeting the government since the first day of the budget session.
Shinde said, “Our government always stands with the farmers, so we have decided to give them a subsidy of Rs 300.”
The opposition feels that the amount is not sufficient and will not help marginal farmers. While CM Shinde assured the House that onions would be procured with the help of Nafed, the opposition claimed that this was not happening.
When News18 did a ground report on this issue in Nashik district, we found that NAFED had hired private companies to buy onions from farmers.
Agriculture Minister’s remarks
The opposition also criticized state Agriculture Minister Abdul Sattar for his insensitive remarks. Sattar had said: “Farmers’ suicides are not a new issue as they have been doing this for a long time.” He was visiting Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district, where unseasonal rains destroyed crops, when he made the remarks.
long March
Meanwhile, under the banner of All India Kisan Sabha, 10,000 angry farmers have started a long march from Nashik to Mumbai with 17 demands. Their primary demand is a rate of Rs 2,000 per quintal for onions and a subsidy of Rs 600 per quintal. A few weeks ago, prices at the Lasalgaon onion market – Asia’s largest onion market – fell so low that farmers were being offered Rs 2-3 per kg.
In a dire situation, farmer Krishna Dongre set his entire produce on fire as he could not recover the cost invested in onion produce. Farmers like Dongre are of the opinion that the government should fix a minimum support price (MSP) and give Rs 1,000-2,000 as subsidy.
The recent unseasonal rains have also damaged crops. So far, the state has ordered a panchnama, but no immediate help has been announced.
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