Rs 2000 crore package for cotton, soya and paddy growers in Maharashtra

NAGPUR: Maharashtra Government today announced a financial package of Rs 2000 crore for cotton, soya and paddy growers who have suffered losses due to deficient rainfall.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan made the announcement in the Legislative Assembly, and also in the Council earlier in the day.

However, the Opposition was not satisfied with the package and its members tried to disrupt the proceedings.

Deputy Speaker Vasant Purke, who was in the Chair, went ahead with remaining business and amidst din the House adopted supplementary demands.

Chavan said the financial package will cover all cotton farmers, and only those soyabean and paddy growers whose yield was less than 25 per cent.

Further details will be provided once necessary calculations and data were ready. A Government Resolution (GR) in this regard will be issued before the ongoing winter session of the Assembly ends, the Chief Minister stated.

Soon after the announcement, Opposition members, including Girish Mahajan and Sanjay Kuthe, trooped into well of the House and shouted slogans to denounce the "meagre" relief package.

Chavan said the financial aid will cover a total area of 85 lakh hectares - 40 lakh hectares of cotton, 30 of soya and 15 lakh hectares of paddy.

The Government was considering a two-pronged strategy, one short term and another long term measures, to overcome the agrarian crisis in the state, the Chief Minister maintained.