Don’t expect everything from government: LS speaker to farmers

AMARAVATI: Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Sunday advised farmers not to expect everything form government. She added farmers must implement latest farming technology and learn how to process agricultural produce.

She was speaking at the third Ahilyadevi Stree Shakti Awards organized by

Ahilyadevi Foundation

at Sant Dnyaneshwar Sanskritik Bhavan.

“Government is responsible for making policies and handling the agriculture sector. Buying agriculture produce is not government’s responsibility. A government is not a shopkeeper,” Mahajan said.

“After a farmer commits suicide, his lone widow has to bear the responsibility of raising children. She has to fight with all the situations alone. Therefore, it is high time we tell farmers that suicide is the wrong way,” Mahajan said.

She further said that a food supplier cannot afford to be hopeless. The issue of prices to agriculture produce has always been a tight spot for a government. If farmers do not get adequate income, they get angry with the government and if prices of commodities rise, the government has to face people’s outcry.

“How can people who throw vegetables and milk on road be food suppliers?” Mahajan asked

Later, the LS speaker congratulated all the award winners.

Actor Pratiksha Lonkar, private investigator Rajni Pandit, yoga expert Pradnya Patil, entrepreneur Kalpana Dive and others were felicitated at the event.

MP

Anandrao Adsul

, Padmashree Dr Vikas Mahatme, guardian minister

Pravin Pote

, actor Padmini Kolhapure were also present. President of the foundation Santosh Mahatme delivered introductory remarks and Kshipra Mankar anchored the event.