Farmers’ March in Mumbai: Protest Called Off After Govt Assurances
Farmers from various parts of Maharashtra walk from Thane to Mumbai demanding loan waiver, increased MSP and more.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
The Lok Sangharsh Morcha, which led the farmers' march to Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Thursday, 22 November, called off the protest after getting written assurances on their demands from the Maharashtra government.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday assured tribal farmers that their forest land rights claims will be settled by December this year, reported PTI.
Over 10,000 farmers staged the protest march from Thane to Azad Maidan, demanding higher MSP, adequate drought compensation, and complete loan waiver. Farmers from various parts of the state came together for the two-day march. They also demanded that the land tilled by the Adivasi farmers be written off in their name under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
Swaraj Abhiyan activist Yogendra Yadav and conservationist Rajendra Singh were leading the march.
- Over 10,000 farmers participated in the two-day protest march from Thane to Mumbai’s Azad Maidan
- Farmers from various parts of Maharashtra stayed over in Mumbai’s Sion before marching towards Azad Maidan on early morning Thursday
- The farmers demands included: MSP at 50% higher than the production cost, drought compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre for non-irrigated land and Rs 1 lakh per acre for irrigated land, and complete loan waiver
Farmers' Call Off Protest After Getting Assurances from Govt
The Lok Sangharsh Morcha, which led the farmers' march to Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Thursday, called off the protest after getting written assurances on their demands from the Maharashtra government.
Farmers' March: CM Fadnavis Says Land Rights Claims Will be Settled
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday assured tribal farmers that their forest land rights claims will be settled by December this year.
Fadnavis gave this assurance to representatives of protesting farmers who marched to Azad Maidan in Mumbai for redressal of their grievances, which include compensation for drought and transfer of forest rights to tribals.
A delegation of the protesting tribals met Fadnavis at Vidhan Bhawan in south Mumbai, where the winter session of the state legislature in underway.
Tribal welfare minister Vishnu Savra said 3.6 lakh claims were received, of which 1.74 lakh have been settled in favour of the tribals.
Similarly, 12,000 claims for community forest activity were also received, of which 7,700 have been settled, he said.
Fadnavis assured the delegation that the remaining claims would be settled by December this year.
(PTI)
Visuals From The Spot
A large number of farmers and tribals take part in a protest march to push for the their long pending demands, including better price for their produce, total waiver of agricultural loans and transfer of forest rights to tribals, in Mumbai, on Thursday, 22 November 2018.
Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan, who reached Mumbai's Azad Maidan to interact with the agitating farmers, said that CM Devendra Fadnavis will hold a meeting with the various representatives from the protest. “Their (farmers’) demands relating to the allocation of land will be seriously deliberated upon,” he said.
“The land is not in my name and so I work as a daily labourer. It fetches me only Rs 100 per day - that is how my family has been surviving (on this ‘meagre amount’)“Kamla Pandit, a participant to the protest march, as told to The Quint, in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan
“I am disappointed with the government’s performance, but at the same time, am hopeful of the change. I really look forward to witness the“achche din”, as promised by the Modi government.”Shilpa, a Class XI student, who is supporting her family members in the protest march.
This is the second time in eight months that the farmers are marching on foot to Mumbai, urging the government to fulfil their demands, including drought compensation and loan waiver.
Visuals From The Framers' Protest
Protesters Reached JJ Road flyover in Mumbai
The protesters have crossed Parel-Lalbaug and reached JJ Road flyover, Hindustan Times reported, adding that a portion of the flyover has been kept free for vehicles. AAP supporters and some Mumbai-based social groups are also participating in the march, the report added.
Lok Sangharsh Morcha Reaches Dadar
Lok Sangharsh Morcha that comprises of tribals and farmers across Maharashtra has reached Dadar, the Economic Times reported.
Bills Ensuring Implementation of Rights Are Languishing, Says Avik Saha
"Two bills to ensure these rights were drafted by the All India Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AISCC) and placed in parliament but both bills have been languishing. More than 60 percent of the voters in India are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. The ruling party and Opposition will now understand the gravity of this problem," Avik Saha, leader of Jai Kisan Andolan told NDTV.
Others like doctors and lawyers are also supporting the farmers' protest, the activist said.
Fadnavis Govt Failed to Keep Promises From Previous March
Farmers claimed that promises made during the previous march in March 2018 were not kept by the Devendra Fadnavis government.
The protesters had demanded the implementation of the Swaminathan Committee Report.
Over 20,000 Farmers March From Thane to Mumbai
Over 20,000 farmers from various parts of Maharashtra commenced on a march from Thane to Mumbai on Wednesday, 21 November.
The farmers demand complete loan waiver and higher MSP among other things. The farmers will reach Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on 22 November.
Swaraj Abhiyan activist Yogendra Yadav and conservationist Rajendra Singh are leading the march.