The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr Prithviraj Chavan, today backed the Agriculture Minister, Mr 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 Mr Pawar a senior leader, Mr 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 into it,” the Chief Minister told reporters in response to questions on the issue outside Parliament House.
Mr Pawar had reportedly sent a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, last month suggesting that at least 3 months 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.
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