Nagpur: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Thursday met divisional commissioner Vijaylakshmi Bidari and submitted a list of demands for Vidarbha’s drought-hit farmers, including an immediate drought declaration, relief of Rs 50,000 per hectare, full implementation of the stalled loan waiver scheme within 20 days and restoration of crop insurance triggers the state had removed.Pawar was in Nagpur as part of an NCP (SP) tour of farmer-distressed regions across Maharashtra. He had met farmers in east Vidarbha on Tuesday and Wednesday, including in paddy-growing areas, following which he submitted the list of demands to Bidari today.On the relief package, Pawar demanded an immediate drought declaration, Rs 50,000 per hectare for farmers and Rs 25,000 per household for farm labourers. “Children of farmer and labourer families studying in college must also receive fee support from the govt, along with cattle fodder, drinking water tankers and expanded employment guarantee cover in drought-hit talukas,” he said.On the loan waiver, Pawar said the scheme had largely stalled. “It is a Rs 35,000 crore scheme, but the govt has released only Rs 2,000 crore so far. Of the total eligible farmers, only 12 lakh have received the benefit. 43 lakh are still waiting,” he said. “Because the money has not been credited to banks, farmers cannot get fresh loans. The full waiver must be implemented within 15 to 20 days,” Pawar added.He also flagged the removal of four triggers from the crop insurance scheme. “Farmers who suffered excess rain have not received the Rs 3,500 per hectare they were owed because the triggers were removed. All four must be restored,” he said.Addressing reporters after the meeting, Pawar said Vidarbha was facing a 40-45% rain deficit, Marathwada 60% and several western Maharashtra districts 30-40%, leaving the kharif crop in serious trouble. “If kharif is in trouble, rabi will be even harder. The question is how the farmer will survive this year and the next,” he said.On paddy procurement, Pawar demanded parity with Chhattisgarh. “The govt promised a paddy bonus of Rs 25,000 per hectare for 2025-26. That promise must be kept. Chhattisgarh procures paddy at Rs 3,500 per quintal but Maharashtra pays only Rs 2,300. That rate must be brought to Rs 3,500 here as well,” Pawar said.
