Lawmakers in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly engaged in a heated debate over the financial compensation package for mango and cashew cultivators in the Konkan region. The Agriculture Minister, Dattatray Bharane, faced criticism for what was deemed a meager compensation offer following unseasonal rains and climate change impacts. Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane strongly questioned the proposed criteria, demanding higher compensation amounts of Rs 1,70,000 per hectare for mango growers and Rs 1,20,000 per hectare for cashew growers.
The confrontation intensified as Rane challenged the allocation of a standard National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) package of Rs 209 crore for the Konkan division. He argued that the proposed division of funds would result in minimal payouts to individual farmers, emphasizing the need for more substantial support. Additionally, concerns were raised about the impact of counterfeit pesticides on crop damage, adding complexity to the situation.
Minister Bharane defended the compensation plan, attributing the crop losses to climate change and erratic weather patterns. However, Rane questioned the transparency of the assessment process, seeking detailed information on the surveys conducted. The government’s relief proposal includes financial aid from the NDRF and Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme, aiming to provide direct assistance to affected farmers within the next 15 days.
Lawmakers continued to press for higher compensation, with MLA Shekhar Nikam advocating for a baseline assistance of Rs 1,00,000 per hectare and additional financial support measures. Amid escalating tensions, Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane intervened, promising an unprecedented financial package for mango and cashew growers to address the losses effectively. The assurance from Minister Nitesh Rane helped ease tensions and concluded the discussion in the Assembly.
