New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister
Prithviraj Chavan on Friday backed Agriculture Minister Sharad
Pawar for his reported demand that work on MNREGA be suspended
for three months to make labourers available during the peak
farm season.
Calling Pawar a senior leader, Chavan expressed the hope
that the Central Government would consider the Agriculture
Minister's suggestion as farm sector in his state is also hit
by non-availability of farm labourers during peak season.
"He is a very senior leader. We of course have a serious
crisis in Maharashtra... cotton farmers and all. So this is
one suggestion and I think Central Government will definitely
look at it," the Chief Minister told reporters in response to
questions on the issue outside Parliament House.
Pawar had reportedly sent a letter to Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh last month suggesting that at least 3 months in
a year be considered an off-duration of rural employment
guarantee scheme so that farm labourers are available during
the peak agricultural operations in various parts of the
country.
PTI
First Published: Friday, December 09, 2011, 17:07