Published On : Fri, Nov 28th, 2014

5 lakh solar pumps to be given to farmers in Vidarbha, Marathwada for irrigation, says CM

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Nagpur: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday held a detailed discussion with Shetkari Sanghatana leader Sharad Joshi and other office-bearers over a number of problems being faced by farmers in Maharashtra. “Maharashtra Government is firmly standing behind the farmers specifically the cotton, rice and soybean growers who are facing several problems due to various factors,” assured the Chief Minister during the discussion held at his Ramgiri Residence in Nagpur.

Others who attended the meeting include former Shetkari Sanghatana President Wamanrao Chatap, Ram Nevale, Saroj Kashikar, Shaila Deshpande, Anant Deshpande, Gunvant Patil, Dinesh Sharma, Shivajirao Shinde, Ramesh Patil, Additional Chief Secretary Sudhirkumar Goyal, Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Pravinsingh Pardeshi, Divisional Commissioner Anoop Kumar and other senior officials.

5 lakh solar pumps to be given in the first stage:

The Chief Minister further said that the power supply of those farmers who have not paid the bills would not be snapped. The State Government has drawn a scheme to provide solar pumps to farmers in six suicide-affected districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada for irrigation purpose. In the first stage, the State Government will hand over 5-horse power five lakh solar pumps to farmers. For this, tenders from various companies have been invited and the pumps having 5-7 year service guarantee will be purchased soon, said Fadnavis and added the farmers’ loans will be restructured for providing relief to them. Further, the Government will initiate steps for proper price to farmers’ products, said Fadnavis and sought some time for implementing the schemes.

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The Chief Minister Fadnavis agreed to in principle to give appropriate price to cotton, soybean and rice per quintal. The proposal in this regard will be submitted to the Central Government and a discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be held on December 7. An assistance of Rs 4500 crore to the State will be demanded, said the Chief Minister.

Other issues of farmers’ importance were also discussed in the meeting and the Chief Minister assured to resolve them on priority basis.