As a part of course correction following the drubbing received in three Hindi heartland state assembly elections, BJP is all set to step up it's farmer outreach in Maharashtra. This will involve party organisation to raise awareness about its pro farmer schemes at the booth level. The government is also relying on its task force the Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavalamban Mission (VNSSM) and its chief Kishor Tiwari with a Sampark Yatra to foster it's agricultural outreach.
The travel outreach programme will be launched between February 8 and 28 in the drought hit Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, and in the districts that recorded high number of farmers suicides.
The Sampark Yatra coincides with the opposition Congress Party's Jansangharsh Yatra and NCP's Nirdhar Yatra aimed at exposing farmer's distress in the state. The 20 day travel outreach programme will counter the opposition claims and the Mission chief Kishor Tiwari will sensitise farmers about the ongoing government schemes. These include the loan waiver, payment of one lakh to kith and kin of farmer families who committed suicide and increase in the irrigation potential through flagship schemes like Jalyukt Shivar (water conservation). It will also conduct counselling sessions to prohibit them from resorting to suicides and hold interactions on creating opportunities when MNCs are entering farming in an ambitious fashion.
Tiwari told DNA, "Crop loan waiver is not the solution to issues faced by farmers. This paved way for getting loans from banks though its percentage is low. The government needs to implement a five year crop lending policy by removing administrative and procedural roadblocks to help farmers.'' The chance of farmers getting loans is much more if they come out of cycle of indebtedness.
Tiwari during his Sampark Yatra said his attempt will be mingled with elected representatives and local leaders from various parties and thereby boost connect with the farmers. "Representatives of various departments will be present so that they could understand the ground reality and expedite process to address issues,'' said Tiwari.