‘We have learned a lesson’, says Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar; apologises to onion farmers for export ban

NASHIK: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Friday apologised to onion farmers in this north Maharashtra district for the hardships they faced following the Centre's decision to ban export of the produce in December last year.
Addressing a gathering on the second day of the statewide Jan Sanman Yatra in Niphad, Lasalgaon, and Yeola in the district, Pawar said the state was aware of the financial problems faced by growers due to the onion export ban.
"I apologise to you for the you hardships. The state has impressed upon the Centre not to resort to such drastic measures in future," he said.
"You have taught us a lesson in the Lok Sabha election. You have the right to do so. We have learnt a lesson. I, along with CM Eknath Shinde, deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde, have agreed that there will be no ban on export of onion in future," he said.
The Centre in May this year permitted the export of onions with the minimum export price to $550 per tonne and 40% export duty.
Huge resentment among farmers in the district was one of the major factors leading to the defeat of former Union minister and BJP nominee Bharati Pawar from the Dindori Lok Sabha constituency, where onion growers form a sizeable chunk of voters.
Ajit Pawar woos women voters with assurances of continued benefits
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Friday assured women voters about Ladki Bahin Yojana, and farmers regarding waiver of power charges. He said the schemes were designed keeping in mind the benefits of people. He said that the schemes would be continued with if the present govt was voted to office again.
The deputy chief minister said that he was hurt with people from various sections falling prey to the fake narratives spread by the opposition regarding "Constitution being changed" and "reservation being done away with", saying that such things can never be changed.
Reacting to the demand from weavers for soft loans, Pawar said that he would conduct a meeting soon to discuss the issue and senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal would keep them posted on the same. He also assured the people of Yeola that schemes to divert water from west-flowing rivers to the Godavari basin would be sanctioned soon so that there was enough water for people in Nashik as well as in Marathwada.