Farmers in Vidarbha are really a poor lot and no one can help them out now :(. I am forced to raise this issue in my blog because of the comments made by Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh (henceforth referred to as VD) who happens to be the Chief Minister of the state of Maharashtra of which Vidarbha is the poorest and most neglected part. Farmers are dying, they are committing suicides, but VD thinks that is not an issue.
Farmers do not have money, they cannot repay their loans, their crops are failing, poor irrigation, all of which lead to their suicides. But VD does not acknowledge, he says they die because of personal family problems.
The Prime Minister of India Mr. Manmohan Singh (henceforth referred to as PM) acknowledges the issue, announces relief package, sends money. But the money never reaches the final destination - farmers. Cheques bounce, media cries foul, but VD doesnt acknowledge.
The comments that I referred to earlier are really disheartening. VD says farmers are trying to cheat his government, they wet the cotton or put stones in cotton bags before selling. I strongly disagree and condemn his statement. Instead of trying to resolve the issue, he's trying to create a non-issue. Where is the relief package? Where has all the money gone? Is the PM listening? I want ask if VD is listening because he never does.
Another reason why Vidarbha should have been a separate state and not a part of Maharashtra and on its mercy.
I should be doing a lot more than just shouting in my blog, but not sure what exactly...
