Congress describes Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis' Marathwada tour as 'farce'

MUMBAI: The Congress today described the proposed three-day tour of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to drought-hit Marathwada region from September 1, as a "farce" and said instead his government should announce concrete steps like farm loans waiver.

Talking to reporters today, Maharashtra state Congress president Ashok Chavan said that Fadnavis should have toured the drought-hit region long ago.

"People might say that it is better late than never, but he should announce some quick decisions like loan waiver," Chavan said.

Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh visited the state twice, a Central team toured the area thrice and now Fadnavis is also going on his tour, Chavan said, adding that instead of such a "farce", his government should announce concrete steps.

"The situation in rural areas is explosive because of acute water scarcity and drought like conditions. We have been touring drought hit areas for the last few days. At none of these places, have farmers loans been rescheduled," he said.

Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh had announced a Rs 25,000 compensation per hectare for hailstorm affected farmers during his visit on April 1, 2015, he said.

"However, his assurance was an April Fool's Day joke because the farmers are yet to get any compensation," he claimed.

Chavan described the Modi government's decision to allow the Land Acquisition Ordinance to lapse as a "victory of the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi".

Chavan said that All Indian Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi had rallied opposition parties in the country against the Land Acquisition Ordinance and led the agitation from the front.

"The BJP government has retreated with an eye on the Bihar assembly polls. It is a victory for the Congress which was in the forefront in building public opinion against the Land Acquisition Ordinance," Chavan said.