Give drought-hit farmers ₹1 lakh a hectare, Congress state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal demands in Dhule

Dhule: Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal visited fields at Mukti in Dhule taluka on Saturday, inspecting cotton and maize crops withered by the drought and talking to farmers. He accused the government of offering hollow promises instead of concrete help at a time of severe drought, mocking its measures with a Marathi proverb about a generous king who hands over a pumpkin.

Sapkal demanded immediate relief of ₹1 lakh a hectare for drought-hit farmers, special aid of ₹25,000 for farm labourers and a blanket loan waiver. The money should reach farmers' bank accounts before Dussehra, or they will lose all faith in the government, he said.

The government should not waste time on surveys and announcements but should go to the fields, understand the situation and decide on relief, he said, adding that rising costs, repeated crop failures and uncertain market prices had pushed farmers into crisis.

Congress district president Yuvraj Karankal, Dhule taluka president Ritesh Patil, party workers and farmers were present.

Sources: Loksatta; Esakal