NCP National President and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar, on Friday, apologized to the state's onion farmers. He said that the Centre's recent actions, particularly the ban on onion export, were ill-conceived and hurt the farmers.
"Speaking at a farmers' rally in Nphad, Nashik district, during the second day of his Jansanman Yatra, Pawar assured that the government would indeed lift the export ban on onions. He reiterated that both the NCP and MahaYuti government stand firmly behind onion growers.".
Pawar conceded that the export ban had hurt the MahaYuti alliance, saying, "The Central government's export ban was a severe blow to us. It had a big impact; it hit us hard and hurt a lot. We realise the mistake and apologise." He assured that there would be no further restrictions on onion exports.
Further, he announced waiver of electricity bills of farmers and announced new projects regarding milk producers, cotton growers, soybean and rice producers.
Pawar said, "The government's commitment was for long-term goals rather than for short-term achievements. People should not be misled on Ladki Bahin scheme. The government had earmarked Rs 45,000 crore for welfare and development projects.".
He also appealed to the electorate to vote for the MahaYuti in upcoming Assembly elections so that the initiatives taken by the Centre and the State continue without any disturbance. "These schemes are planned for serious execution," he said.
Pawar highlighted that 1.50 crore women have qualified for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, with registration still in process. He promised that the eligible women would get Rs 3,000 (in two instalments of Rs 1,500 each) for July and August on August 17, addressing some technical issues which the government is presently resolving.
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