<p>Mumbai: In what sparked off a political issue in Maharashtra, state Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate allegedly compared farmers to beggars inviting severe criticism from the opposition. </p><p>“Even a beggar does not take Re 1 as alms, but here we are giving crop insurance for Re 1. Even then there are people who try to misuse it. There are irregularities, like people from other states applying.” Kokate reportedly said during the inauguration of Agriculture Development Conference and Exhibition at Amravati on Friday. </p><p>Reacting to the statement, former Maharashtra Assembly speaker Nana Patole lashed out at the Maha Yuti government. </p>.Maharashtra to have 'love jihad' law? Fadnavis govt sets up committee.<p>“It has been proved repeatedly that the BJP-led alliance government is anti-farmer. Farmers have been insulted by being labelled as extremists, Naxalites, and agitators. Now, the state's Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate has crossed the line by calling farmers beggars. His statement reflects his arrogance due to power. Farmers are not beggars; rather, it is the BJP alliance government who is a beggar as it exploits the common people through GST,” said Patole, the outgoing Maharashtra Congress chief. Patole said that farmers are the backbone of the world, and insulting them is nothing but a perverse mindset.</p><p>“The BJP alliance government is anti-farmer and works solely for the wealthy. Offering crop insurance for one rupee is not a favour to the farmers, and Kokate is not paying for it out of his own pocket. The government fails to provide fair prices for farm produce and does not grant loan waivers. During elections, the BJP alliance begged for votes by making extravagant promises to farmers. By imposing an 18 per cent GST on agricultural equipment needed for farming, the government essentially begs from farmers while shamelessly calling them beggars,” he said.</p>
<p>Mumbai: In what sparked off a political issue in Maharashtra, state Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate allegedly compared farmers to beggars inviting severe criticism from the opposition. </p><p>“Even a beggar does not take Re 1 as alms, but here we are giving crop insurance for Re 1. Even then there are people who try to misuse it. There are irregularities, like people from other states applying.” Kokate reportedly said during the inauguration of Agriculture Development Conference and Exhibition at Amravati on Friday. </p><p>Reacting to the statement, former Maharashtra Assembly speaker Nana Patole lashed out at the Maha Yuti government. </p>.Maharashtra to have 'love jihad' law? Fadnavis govt sets up committee.<p>“It has been proved repeatedly that the BJP-led alliance government is anti-farmer. Farmers have been insulted by being labelled as extremists, Naxalites, and agitators. Now, the state's Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate has crossed the line by calling farmers beggars. His statement reflects his arrogance due to power. Farmers are not beggars; rather, it is the BJP alliance government who is a beggar as it exploits the common people through GST,” said Patole, the outgoing Maharashtra Congress chief. Patole said that farmers are the backbone of the world, and insulting them is nothing but a perverse mindset.</p><p>“The BJP alliance government is anti-farmer and works solely for the wealthy. Offering crop insurance for one rupee is not a favour to the farmers, and Kokate is not paying for it out of his own pocket. The government fails to provide fair prices for farm produce and does not grant loan waivers. During elections, the BJP alliance begged for votes by making extravagant promises to farmers. By imposing an 18 per cent GST on agricultural equipment needed for farming, the government essentially begs from farmers while shamelessly calling them beggars,” he said.</p>