GFP, RGP unite to demand aid for farmers hit by rain

Panaji: GFP and the RG jointly demanded compensation on Monday for farmers who suffered losses due to unseasonal rain. The two parties, which typically do not see eye-to-eye, also accused govt of doing little to implement the agriculture policies introduced by late agriculture minister Ravi Naik.

“If govt wants to really honour the memory of Naik, they must immediately implement his agriculture policy and also roll out a scheme called Mhaje Xhet for Goans. Even those who provide harvesters and other farming machinery have suffered. All losses have to be compensated,” said RG president Manoj Parab.

Parab and GFP president Vijai Sardesai demanded that instead of distributing Mhaje Ghar scheme forms to migrants, govt should focus on farmers who are giving up their fields.

“If you look at private land, migrants are capturing it; look at govt land, migrants are capturing it; look at comunidade land, migrants are capturing the land. Naik brought in an agriculture policy, but we see today that agricultural land is being sold or converted,” said RG MLA Viresh Borkar.

Meanwhile, Sardesai accused the chief minister and BJP of inciting violence against the opposition.