Opposition walkout in Maharashtra Assembly over farmers' suicide

Nagpur, Dec 7 (UNI) The opposition staged a walkout in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today expressing its dissatisfaction over what it termed the government's failure to stop the large number of suicides by farmers in Vidarbha and the absence of a concrete assurance to resolve the agrarian crisis in the region.

The walkout came after an opposition-sponsored adjournment motion on the issue was rejected by Voice Vote in the House at the end of a two-hour discussion. The opposition raised slogans against the government as it walked out of the House, with some members throwing cotton around as they left.

Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam and BJP group leader Gopinath Munde said the reply by the government was dissatisfactory as it did not give any concrete assurance to alleviate the suffering of farmers in Vidarbha, especially cotton cultivators.

Replying to the discussion, Minister for Co-operation Patangrao Kadam said the government had issued orders to co-operative banks and credit societies to extend loans to farmers at an interest rate of six per cent only. If farmers have paid interest at a rate above six per cent, then the excess amount would be refunded, he said.

The instructions for refund would be issued at a meeting of Chairmen of all banks to be held on December 13, he added.

MORE UNI AB KU HS1930