Bhandara: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar participated in multiple farmer rallies in Gondia and Bhandara over the last two days and demanded that the state govt pay them the promised bonus, “which has been pending for the last six months”.Pawar pointed out that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ govt promised Rs25,000 a hectare as paddy bonus before elections in 2024. “Once they won, they forgot the farmer. Earlier this year during the assembly session, we were told Rs 20,000 would be given, but even that hasn’t come in six months,” he said.He added that govt sent BJP MLC Parinay Fuke, a close aide of Fadnavis, to Chhattisgarh for studying how paddy is procured there and how much farmers are getting paid. “It’s bought at Rs 3,500 a quintal by the state and central govts together, against Rs2,300 here. If they’ve studied it, that rate should apply to us too,” he said.On Tuesday, Pawar was in Gondia district, where he met with farmers, then led a march in the district on Wednesday morning before going to neighbouring Bhandara district. Here too, he slammed Mahayuti govt over payment of farmer dues. “Govt feels that if they give loan waiver, then there is no need to give a bonus. Waiving loans was not a favour, it was govt’s duty and the farmer’s right. The bonus is farmer’s right too. If you can’t manage it, vacate your chairs,” he said.At farmer rallies in Arjuni Morgaon and Tirora in Gondia district, he demanded uninterrupted power supply, relief from rising costs and a Rs50,000 incentive for farmers who repay loans on time. He also opposed smart electricity meters.“Rainfall is down 45 to 50% in Vidarbha and 60% in Marathwada. Wherever the deficit is over 10%, drought should be declared. Farmers need at least Rs50,000 a hectare, and farm labourers need Rs25,000 per family,” he said and warned, “This agitation will spread to Marathwada, western Maharashtra and Khandesh over the next month. Govt will not be able to manage it.”
