Crisis caused by hailstorms, rain turns a poll issue

As many as 38 farmers have committed suicide in the State over the last month, after hailstorms and unseasonal rain, official figures show. North Maharashtra alone has reported 16 cases.

“We have called for details to scrutinise whether the suicides have been caused by indebtedness related to the calamity or other causes. But all cases occurred after February 22, when the hailstorms hit the State,” said a Relief and Rehabilitation Department official.

Hailstorms have affected 28 of the 35 districts, destroying crop on over 19 lakh hectares and leaving farmers on the brink. The rabi wheat, jowar and sugarcane have been damaged, and fruit crops including pomegranate, mango and orange and grapes affected. The delay in disbursing relief, what with the model code of conduct in force, is fast becoming an election issue. The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, will meet affected farmers in the Vidarbha region on Friday. The party has asked that the crisis be declared a national calamity.

The State government has asked the Centre for Rs. 5,000-crore relief. It is facing flak for not acting before the model code came into force. Speaking to The Hindu, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has, however, denied any delay in reacting to the crisis. “Initially, the damage was not widespread. It was only in March that it started spreading. I want to increase the aid beyond standard orders,” he said.

Meanwhile in a late-night meeting on Wednesday, the State Cabinet cleared, subject to ECI approval, a Rs.3,800-crore package for the affected region, sources said.