When will distressed farmers get help, Sena asks Centre

Taking a sceptical view of Micro Units Development Refinance Agency Yojana launched by the Centre to support farming and micro-level enterprises, Shiv Sena on Monday sought to know when the distressed farmers will get help and how the government plans to curb their suicides.

“Hailstorms and unseasonal rains have wrought havoc for farmers. How many times do we calculate the losses incurred by them and how many times do we keep asking the government for help? It is being said that the launch of MUDRA by the prime minister will help farmers. But when will the farmers start receiving help under the scheme?” an editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said.

The MUDRA Yojana launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week will be refinancing MFI loans, which in-turn have deep penetration in the rural market and help farmers and micro-entrepreneurs with loans for capital investments.

Highlighting the plight of farmers in the state, the Sena asked how the government plans to end their woes.

“Maharashtra is devastated with the changing climatic conditions that have ruined the lives of farmers. What does the government intend to do for farmers whose lives have been devastated? When farmers don't get to eat two meals a day inspite of facing so many hardships, they have no option but to commit suicide,” it said.

It noted that Indian Meteorological Department has further predicted heavy rainfall in Marathwada region from Tuesday onwards and the warning should be taken seriously.

At the launch of MUDRA Yojana, Modi had said that his government's aim is to provide financial assistance to the “unfunded” small entrepreneurs who provide employment to a large number of people.

MUDRA which has a corpus of Rs 20,000 crore can lend between Rs 50,000 and Rs 10 lakh to small entrepreneurs.

The scheme will instill a new confidence in the small entrepreneurs who have been facing exploitation at the hands of money lenders so far, the PM had said.