Maha: MVA protests over onion prices, demands MSP of Rs 3,000

Nashik, May 26 (IANS) The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Tuesday staged a protest at Chandwad in Nashik district against the alleged apathy of the Centre and the Maharashtra government towards onion growers.

MVA leaders said that onion farmers are currently getting only Rs 200–300 per quintal for their produce and blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Prime Minister Narendra Modi government at the Centre and the Devendra Fadnavis government in the state for the miserable condition of onion growers.

They warned that the MVA would not sit quietly until onion farmers receive a substantial Minimum Support Price (MSP), and said the government would be forced to act.

Demanding an MSP of Rs 3,000 per quintal for onions, the MVA organised a Shetkari Kranti Maha Morcha at Chandwad Chowphuli in Nashik district.

A road blockade protest was also staged during the agitation.

Prominent leaders present at the farmers’ march included Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) state president Shashikant Shinde, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Ambadas Danve, NCP SP legislator Rohit Pawar, Congress MP Shobha Bachhav and NCP SP MP Bhagre Guruji, among others.

During the road blockade protest, police detained several leaders using force, but the protesters declared that the farmers’ struggle could not be suppressed.

Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal said that inflation has made it extremely difficult for farmers to survive and continue farming, while agricultural produce is not getting remunerative prices.

Onion prices have crashed, leaving farmers distressed, yet the government remains indifferent.

Although the government announced the procurement of onions, actual purchases have still not begun.

He insisted that onion procurement must be carried out through Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and urged the government not to benefit traders at the expense of farmers.

He alleged that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has repeatedly failed to fulfil promises made to the people.

Sapkal said the BJP government has not helped farmers during times of crisis and added that there is now no option but to remove a government that is “harassing farmers”.

NCP SP legislator Rohit Pawar said: “This struggle of onion-producing farmers is not going to end so soon, and if no concrete decision is made in tomorrow’s meeting, the onion-producing farmers will once again take to the streets and intensify their fight. However, that will not be affordable for this government, and the government must keep this in mind.”

Shiv Sena UBT legislator Ambadas Danve stated that, in the presence of thousands of farmers, intense anger was expressed against the government.

The central and state governments were urged to set proper rates for onions, lift the export ban, and provide financial assistance to farmers.

“Onion-producing farmers are currently facing a severe financial crisis, and the government needs to take immediate concrete decisions,” he remarked.

--IANS

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