English
Beed/Latur/Osmanabad, June 9: The drought is Marathwada is quite visible and and with the number of farmers’ suicides increasing at an alarming rate, the situation has even become worse. Water seems to be a distant dream for the people here, but the politicians are busy in playing the blame game. Accusing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not being serious about the plight of farmers and their families, Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav raised questions on Modi’s intentions to help farmers. He also took on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for engaging in voice battle and not doing anything for improving the plight of farmers.
Report says more than 500 farmers have committed suicides in the first five months of this year and politicians are busy in their own game plan. Yadav alleged that PM Modi has time to tour foreign nations and celebrate two years of his party’s governance in the Centre, but had not till now visited any drought-hit farmers’ home. Same is is the case with Rahul Gandhi, who though accuses Modi of being insensitive towards farmers, have not visited them personally. ALSO READ: Marathwada reels under severe drought, farmer suicides on rise
Touring the drought-hit districts of Marathwada and Bundelkhand region during his 12-day long padyatra, Yadav said that he had encountered innumerable incidences where either the head of the family is dead or on teh verge of committing suicide. Even the package meant for them is not reaching to the needy and there the animals in Bundelkhand due to want of fodder. Yadav even alleged that water in Marathwada was being diverted for profiteering. Speaking to Indian Express, Yadav said, “Private tankers were seen minting money. Several different bottle brands which even Delhi has not seen are available in Marathwada. Similar is the case with jar brads. Even beer factories are cashing in.”
According to Swaraj Abhiyan chief, the government has failed to take proper steps to solve the problems of farmers and the intentions to release the funds instantly for the farmers in Marathwada is not seen. Pointing fingers at PM Modi, Yadav said, as reported in IE, “Every day distressed farmers are dying in Marathwada, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has found no time to provide solace to the families of the dead farmers. He has been busy touring foreign countries and indulging in celebrations of two years of his government. And has not found time to visit Marathwada even once…it shows how much the Prime Minister is concerned about farmers.”
He also took on Rahul Gandhi, and asked him similar questions. He said that though Rahul speaks for the poor farmers and visited them in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh once, but till now has now found out the time to visit Marathwada. Commenting on the package, Yadav said, as reported in IE, “The agrarian crisis has hit the country badly. Lakh of farmers and their families are facing difficult time. But we have hardly heard of any concrete package from the government ease the sufferings of the farmers. Since Independence, this is the first government which has proved to be totally against the farmers.”
According to the figures available from the Aurangabad divisional commissioner-ate, as many as 500 farmers have committed suicides in eight districts of Marathwada this year only, which includes 92 in Beed, 76 in Nanded, 75 in Aurangabad, 71 in Osmanaband and rest in other districts. However, district administration has said that they are doing their best so that farmers’ plight can be addressed. Its hardly a matter of time which would tell whether grim picture will stay or politics will rule, but till now farmers are still waiting for their plight to get addressed.
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