Congress alleges Modi government is grossly neglecting onion farmers of Maharashtra.

The Congress on Saturday accused the Narendra Modi government of “grossly ignoring” Maharashtra’s onion farmers distressed by the ban on onion exports and said its manifesto is a predictable move to stop such disastrous policies being imposed on farmers at the last moment. Promises import-export policy. ,

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh asked questions to Prime Minister Modi before his rally in Kolhapur.

“Why has the Modi government jeopardized an investment of Rs 50,000 crore in Kolhapur? Why have “red category” Modani projects been approved in ecologically sensitive areas? Why has the export ban been lifted only on white onions from Gujarat? ” Ramesh said on X.

The rupee may be in danger due to the Modi government’s decision to ban ethanol production from sugarcane juice and syrup. He said, there will be an investment of Rs 50,000 crore in the sugar industry of Kolhapur.

“In the Maharashtra Assembly, BJP’s own coalition partner Ajit Pawar highlighted that ‘industries have taken 95’37% loan after incentives from the central government to get 20% ethanol blending. The industry is facing ‘unimaginable losses’ Have to do because of this prohibition,” said Ramesh.

He said this ad-hoc decision would not only hurt the sugar mills but also the sugarcane farmers who were getting extra Rs 100-150 per tonne from ethanol production.

“So the sudden implementation of this new rule is causing massive disruption in the sugar industry in Kolhapur. Why has the PM given this sudden blow to sugarcane farmers and mills? What is his approach to help them overcome this? ” Ramesh said.

He further said that in November 2023, a key consultant of Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) was appointed to one of the Expert Appraisal Committees (EAC) of the Modi government, which approves proposals for hydropower projects built by AGEN. Is.

Soon after, in December 2023, residents of more than a hundred villages in Kolhapur rose up in protest against AGEN’s Rs 7,000 crore Patgaon Pumped Storage Project, he said.

He said, since Kolhapur was suffering from low rainfall and limited availability of water and no public meeting was held before the project was granted permission, locals were worried about what impact the project would have on the deteriorating water situation. Will have to.

“What is of concern is that this is one of the three projects of Adani that have received approval in the ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats. According to experts, Environment Ministry officials have approved these ‘red category’ projects in sensitive areas. “has ‘selectively interpreted the law’ to allow this.” Ramesh said.

He said, “Adani’s own environmental assessment had warned of significant damage to forests during construction, but the projects were approved nonetheless. The BJP’s brazenness in the legal process clearly has a serious impact on local communities and the local environment.” There will be an impact.”

Ramesh asked, why has the Prime Minister again put the interests of his corporate friends before the well-being of India’s people and forests?

“Since December 2023, onion farmers in Maharashtra have been grappling with the Modi government’s ban on onion exports. During the cultivation season, the state was hit by unsatisfactory rainfall and water crisis, and most farmers were able to produce only 50% of their onions Were 37% of their normal crop,” he said.

Ramesh said that when onions were finally harvested, farmers faced arbitrary export restrictions, leading to extremely low selling prices.

“As a result, farmers have suffered huge losses in the last five months. Adding insult to injury, yesterday the Modi government allowed the export of white onion, which is mainly grown in Gujarat. Farmers in Maharashtra, which are mainly Growing red onions has been abandoned,” he said.

He asked, “Can PM Modi explain why his government is playing a favored role? Why has it so callously neglected the onion farmers of Maharashtra?”

He said, the Congress Nyaya Patra promises a stable, predictable import-export policy to prevent such destructive policies being imposed on farmers at the last minute.

“What is the Modi government’s approach to assure policy stability to farmers?” He said and asked the Prime Minister to break his silence on these issues.