Devendra Fadnavis interacting with mediapersons. Eknath Shinde, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Chandrakant Patil, Shambhuraje Bhonsale, Adv Ashish Jaiswal also are seen.

 
MAHARASHTRA Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured loan waiver to the farmers in the State. While interacting with mediapersons on the eve of Winter Session of State Legislature in Nagpur, Fadnavis said, “A committee headed by Pravin Pardeshi will identify the farmers who are in real need of loan-waiver. But we are committed to farmers’ welfare. Farmer is an important component of any society and we have a strong wish that no farmer should die in debt.” Fadnavis stated 92 per cent rain-affected farmers have received financial aid, while the remaining will get it after Know Your Customer (KYC) details are updated.“The Opposition is making accusations without studying the issue. My Government is ready to debate on any issue raised in the Legislature,” he asserted. While replying to a querry, Devendra Fadnavis said the Opposition was directionless and asserted the decision to appoint Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and Council comes under the jurisdiction of the respective presiding officers. The State Government has no say in it, he said.Whatever decision is taken by the presiding officers of both Houses is acceptable to his Government, the CM emphasised. Earlier in the day, the Opposition boycotted the Government’s customary tea party on the eve of the Winter Session, citing its failure to appoint LoPs in both Houses. Chief Minister Fadnavis said, “Our Cabinet Meeting was just held. Before that, the tea ceremony was held and the Opposition party has boycotted the tea ceremony following the tradition.The opposition party’s press conference was full of disappointment.” “The decision of the Opposition leaders are entirely within the jurisdiction of the Speaker.We have no insistence or objection in this regard,” said Chief Minister. The Opposition has no trust in anyone, they are trying to set fire to all the constitutional institutions like the Supreme Court, the Election Commission, the Presiding Officer, the Speaker, Fadnavis said. Fadnavis criticised the Opposition and gave detailed answers to the allegations made by the leaders of the MahaVikas Aghadi. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also explained the reason for the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition Following the Opposition’s rout in the State Assembly polls last year, no party could win 10 per cent of the total 288 seats. As per the norm, it is necessary for any Opposition to win at least 10 per cent seats to stake claim for the post of LoP. Fadnavis also said the duration of the session is of a week since the Model Code of Conduct is in place for local body polls.“Despite the short duration, we plan to do maximum business and take decisions in the interest ofVidarbha and Marathwada. A total of 11 bills will be introduced,” Fadnavis informed the mediapersons.