Aurangabad (Maharashtra), May 18: NCP chief and former union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Tuesday expressed concern over the central government’s decision of steep hike in fertiliser prices amidst the COVID crisis.
In his series of tweets, Mr Pawar said that he has penned a letter to the Union Chemical and Fertilisers Minister Sadanand Gowda.
The letter termed the price hike decision as ‘unfortunate’ as the Kharif season is set to begin from June.
Mr Pawar said, ‘The second wave of COVID19 Pandemic has impacted heavily on our people, devastating their every means of livelihood. The farming community is reeling under one of the worst-ever crisis and their issues need to be addressed immediately.’
‘But I have learnt that instead of extending helping hand to this distressed community, the Central Government has taken decision to increase the prices of fertilisers exponentially,’ he added.
He further said, ‘The consequent lockdown conditions have already crumbled the marketing system. As the Monsoon is right at the doorsteps, the unfortunate decision would directly hamper the pre-sowing agricultural activities and in future affect the production cost and productivity of the crops. With inflated rates of fuel, the new decision will rub salt in the wounds of the farmers. The decision is shocking and needs to be reviewed immediately.’
