Sharad Pawar Urges Counselling Camps & Rehabilitation Plan for Distressed Farmers
NCP chief Sharad Pawar has called for counselling camps and a structured rehabilitation plan to address the growing farmer distress in Maharashtra. He emphasized that mental health, loan relief, and long-term policy reforms are essential to prevent further farmer suicides.
Expressing grave concern over the rising cases of farmer suicides in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has urged the state government to organize counselling camps for farmers. He stated that economic assistance alone cannot solve the crisis; emotional and psychological support is equally necessary to help farmers cope with the stress of crop failures, debt burdens, and unpredictable weather conditions.
Addressing a gathering in western Maharashtra, Pawar highlighted that many farmers are facing mounting pressure due to unpaid loans, repeated crop losses, and poor market returns. He added that counselling camps at the village level would allow experts and mental health professionals to directly interact with farmers, listen to their grievances, and provide solutions for stress management and financial planning.
Pawar further suggested that a comprehensive rehabilitation plan should be developed to support families affected by suicides. Such a plan, according to him, should include financial aid, free education for children, medical coverage, and livelihood opportunities for widows and dependents. He emphasized that ignoring the social impact of farmer suicides would lead to intergenerational poverty in rural Maharashtra.
The leader also demanded that crop insurance policies be made more farmer-friendly, ensuring timely payouts without bureaucratic hurdles. He criticized the current system for delays and inadequate compensation, which often forces farmers into deeper debt. Pawar called for a transparent mechanism where farmers can track the status of their claims and receive relief within weeks, not months.
Pawar’s statement has reignited the debate on farmer welfare in the state. Several farmer groups welcomed his demand, noting that rehabilitation and counselling are long-overdue measures. Political analysts believe that this intervention could push the government to adopt a more holistic approach to agricultural distress, beyond temporary relief packages. With Maharashtra facing another challenging monsoon season, the pressure on policymakers to respond effectively is mounting.
