Mumbai, Jul 24 (Reporter) Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Nana Patole on Wednesday demanded that the ruling Mahayuti government should grant a blanket loan waiver to distressed farmers of the state on the lines of the Congress government in Telangana. Speaking on this matter, he said that farmers in the state are facing both natural and economic crises. On one hand the prices of agricultural produce are low, while on other the costs of seeds, fertilisers and agricultural equipment have skyrocketed, he informed and said that it is the government's duty to support farmers in this time of crisis. He stated that this year, farmers in the state faced drought in some areas and excessive rain in others. Even now, some areas have experienced heavy rainfall while others are still waiting for rain, and some regions are facing the threat of having to re-sow their crops, he said. There is a rampant spread of bogus fertilisers and seeds, but the government only makes empty promises of taking action, he alleged. Farmers are not benefiting from crop insurance, instead, the crop insurance companies are reaping benefits, he further alleged. Noting that the number of farmer suicides is increasing day by day due to these dire circumstances, the MPCC chief said that in past six months, 1,727 farmers have committed suicides in the state, which is a disgrace for Maharashtra. The current situation of farmers in the state is extremely critical, and there is an urgent need for loan waivers, he further said. The Mahayuti government is only working for their favoured builders and industrialists, he claimed. The government has funds to waive off Rs 1,700 crore for industrialist Anil Ambani, and the BJP government has waived off loans worth Rs 16 lakh crore for big industrialists, but they do not have money to support the farmers, Patole alleged. The BJP government is anti-farmer, he added...////...