Farmers' curse can ruin everything, Sena warns Maha govt

Mumbai, Jul 22: With Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis having turned down the demand to write-off farm loan, Shiv Sena today said the curse of farmers, with whose blessings the government came to power, could ruin everything.

"Farmers should not be shooed away like the beggars standing on one's doorstep are.

The government has come to power with the blessings of these farmers...They are the kings...Let their curse not ruin everything," Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

"The question is if waiving off loans will not stop farmers' suicides, what will?" it asked. "It is being said that the CM is firm on not waiving off the debts of farmers. If he is firm on his stand, he should also clarify on how does the government plan to revive the lives of farmers whose spinal cord has been broken," it said.

The unseasonal rains in some parts of the state and lack of showers in other parts destroys the crops of farmers, thereby causing losses, Sena said, noting that the banks and money lenders then pressurise them to pay their debt that ultimately leads the farmers to commit suicide. "The Chief Minister wants farmers to stand on their feet.

This decision of his is good. But how will you make those farmers stand on their feet who have already been crippled and are standing with the help of crutches?" the ruling alliance partner sought to know. People are being able to eat food due to the hard work of farmers and this should be kept in mind before taking any firm decisions, it suggested.

Taking the line that loan waiver will not serve any purpose, Fadnavis had on Monday said in state Assembly that 9,614 farmers had committed suicides since the loan waiver (announced by the UPA government) in 2008.

"Thirty-five lakh farmers have no access to institutional credit. As many as 60 per cent of farmers in Marathwada and Vidarbha have no loan facility at all. For whom are you (opposition members) seeking the loan waiver?" asked Fadnavis.

PTI