Maha Assembly: Oppn seeks discussion, relief for farmers affected by unseasonal rains

Noisy scenes were witnessed in the Maharashtra Assembly on Thursday with the opposition demanding that the state government give immediate relief to farmers whose crops were destroyed in unseasonal rains accompanied by hailstorms earlier this week.

The opposition members were on their feet when Speaker Rahul Narvekar rejected an adjournment notice submitted by the Congress' Nana Patole (congress) on the issue.

Narvekar said the issue will be taken up for debate on Friday and urged MLAs to allow Question Hour to continue.

But Patole was adamant and was supported by Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar, NCP MLA Chhagan Bhujbal and Congress' Balasaheb Thorat.

Bhujbal said nothing can be more important than providing relief to farmers and sought immediate discussion on it.

Some opposition MLAs trooped into the Well of the House and shouted slogans against the government.

LoP Pawar criticised the government for not comforting the distressed farmers.

Chief minister Eknath Shinde said his government will never leave farmers in the lurch.

Directives have been given for 'punchnamas' (loss assessment) on war footing, he said, and asked the opposition not to indulge in politics on the issue.

Opposition members shouted slogans in the Well of the House even as the Speaker continued with Question Hour.