Farmers Call Off Protest as Maha Govt Vows to Meet Land Demands
Nearly 35,000 farmers have arrived in Mumbai, after having marched 180 km on foot, to demand farm loan waivers.
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Facing the heat from the opposition and ally Shiv Sena, the BJP-led Maharashtra government accepted the demands of agitating farmers, including their right to till forest land, leading the cultivators to call off their stir that had turned Mumbai into a sea of red.
Over 35,000 farmers, who were camping in Mumbai following a week-long march, called off their protest after the Maharashtra government, on 12 March, vowed to meet their land demands. The farmers marched 180 km from Nashik to Mumbai to demand a complete farm loan waiver, forest land rights and the implementation of recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Commission.
- On 12 March, the Maharashtra government said it would implement within 6 months the farmers’ demand for ownership of land
- Farmers called off the protest after the assurances were given to them in writing
- The farmers marched to Azad Maidan late at night on 11 March, saying they did not want to trouble Mumbai residents by blocking roads on 12 March
- The farmers demanded complete farm loan waiver, forest land rights and implementation of the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Commission
- Almost 35,000 farmers walked for 6 days, covering a distance of 180 kms from Nashik to Mumbai
Over 300 Protesting Farmers Being Treated for Fever, Stomach Ailments: Reports
Treatment of 300 protesting farmers is underway at JJ Hospital following complaints of fever, stomach-related ailment and leg injuries, reports ANI.
Time to Go Home, After Farmers' Protest Called Off
After calling off the protest, the farmers are on their way back to their respective native villages.
We Have Accepted Most of Their Demands: CM Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that his government had agreed to almost all the demands of the farmers who participated in the 'long march' that culminated in Mumbai on 12 March.
He said that these applications (for the allotment of such land) would be cleared in six months.
"We need to scrutinise each and every application before allotting the land. The department currently has over one lakh applications from farmers asking for these lands under the FRA," the official said.
Fadnavis said, "We have also agreed to the effective implementation of the Nar-Par-Tapi-Narmada and Damanganga-Pinjal river connectivity projects (both pacts between Maharashtra and Gujarat) through which districts of north Maharashtra would get additional water for irrigation."
On the demand by protesters to implement the Swaminathan Commission's recommendation of giving farmers a Minimum Support Price of one-and-a-half times the cost of production, Fadnavis said that the recommendation was accepted and would be implemented.
He, however, said that the state government could not accept the demand for additional loan waivers.
He said, "In some cases, the loan of the wife was waived as it was lower and the husband's loans weren't. We will set up another committee to look into a fresh definition of a farmer's family to overcome this issue and see how much extra money it would cost the state." He informed that train services would be arranged for the farmers to take them back to their hometowns.
Dr Ashok Dhawale, president of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), said, “We have achieved a historic victory as the government has given its assurances in writing this time.”
Govt Should Fulfil Their Commitments: Anna Hazare
Prominent social activist Anna Hazare said, “Only promising to fulfill the demands won't work, it's now the duty of the government to work towards fulfilling what they've committed. They should think about the welfare of farmers so that they don't have to take it to the road next time.”
CM Has Agreed to Meet Their Demands, Implementation Will Start in 6 Months: Savara
Vishnu Savara, tribal development minister of Maharashtra, said, “The farmers were demanding that they should be made the owners of the entire land that is cultivated by them. The chief minister has agreed.”
Savara said the chief secretary will follow up on the matter and the implementation will start in 6 months.
Congress' Randeep Surjewala Compares Farmers' Protest With Dandi March
CM Fadnavis Meets Farmers' Delegation, Vows 'Positive' Action
“We're positive towards fulfilling their demands," Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said in the state assembly, following a meeting with a delegation of the protesting farmers. "Since the first day of the morcha we tried to discuss issues with them. Girish Mahajan was in touch with them from day 1. But they were firm on taking out the march,” he said.
Farmers' Delegation Meets CM Fadnavis
Meeting with delegation of farmers and all political parties begins at Vidhan Bhawan under the chairmanship of Maharastra CM Devendra Fadnavis.
"Won't Leave Till Our Demands are Met": Protesting Farmers Tell The Quint
Urban Maoists Behind Farmers' Long March: BJP MP
In an interview with CNN News 18, BJP MP Poonam Mahajan said that the farmers’ protest was kindled by urban Maoism.
She said it was clear that urban Maoists were behind the protest as participants were waving Communist party flags.
Farmer's Delegation to Meet CM Fadnavis
A delegation of farmers have gone to meet CM Devendra Fadnavis. A delegation of minister are likely to visit Azad Maidan where the farmers are protesting.
An Issue for Farmers All Over India: Rahul Gandhi
Commenting on All India Kisan Sabha protest in Maharashtra, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said: “This is not an issue of Maharashtra farmers alone but of farmers all over India.”
Amenities Provided for Farmers
An ambulance, water tankers, vada pav for breakfast have been provided by authorities for the farmers.
Protesting Farmers Likely to Meet CM Fadnavis Later Today
Demanding a complete loan waiver from the Maharashtra government, over 30,000 farmers gathered at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, on Monday, 12 March.
The farmers are likely to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later in the day. However, it is not clear whether the delegation of farmers would meet a group of ministers or if the chief minister will meet the farmers at Azad Maidan.
Protesters Will Not Be Allowed Beyond Azad Maidan
Government sources told NDTV that the protesting farmers will not be allowed to proceed beyond Azad Maidan, which they reached in the early hours of Monday, 12 March. A delegation of farmers will then be allowed to come to the Vidhan Bhavan to meet Chief Minister Fadnavis.
The Left-affiliated All-India Kisan Sabha, which is leading the protest, told NDTV that they were open to considering what the government had to offer.
Six-Member Committee Formed to Look Into Demands
The Maharashtra government has appointed a six-member committee to look into the demands of the protesting farmers, ANI reported.
According to the report, the six members making up the committee are Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil, Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar, Irrigation Minister Girish Mahajan, Tribal Development Minister Vishnu Savara, state Cooperatives Minister Subhash Deshmukh and Shiv Sena leader and PWD Minister Eknath Shinde.
The decision to form this committee was taken at a meeting held at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ house.
Farmers Reach Mumbai's Azad Maidan
Members of the All-India Kisan Sabha reached Mumbai’s Azad Maidan in the wee hours of Monday after marching around 15 km all night from Somaiya Garden, ANI reported.
The farmers plan to proceed to the state Assembly, nearly two kilometres from Azad Maidan, later in the day, to gherao the Vidhan Sabha.
Farmers March Overnight to Avoid Inconvenience
The farmers, who had camped at the Somaiya ground in suburban Chunabhatti, said they plan to move towards Azad Maidan, about 15 km away, around midnight.
“We do not want to put citizens of Mumbai or SSC students in any trouble. But we will reach Azad Maidan. Therefore, we have decided to start walking past midnight,” AIKS president Ashok Dhawale said.
Leave for Exam Centre Early: Maharashtra Education Minister
In view of farmers' march, Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde has advised SSC students to reach the exam centres in Mumbai well before the scheduled time.
Thousands of Farmers to 'Gherao' Vidhan Sabha Tomorrow
The Maharashtra government reached out to farmers promising to meet their demands, but the representatives said they will demand the same during Monday's protest at the Legislature Assembly.
The protesters will halt at the Somaiya Ground in suburban Chunabhatti on Sunday night, and set out for the Vidhan Bhavan in south Mumbai, where the Budget Session is underway, on Monday.
"We will gherao (lay siege to) the Vidhan Bhavan tomorrow to demand a complete loan waiver, fair price for farm produce, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, compensation for hailstorm-affected farmers among other things," Kisan Gujar, president of the state council of AIKS, said.
Ready for Talks: Fadnavis to Agitating Farmers
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday night said his government will talk to the farmers who have undertaken a ‘long march’ to the city to press for their demands.
He also appealed agitators not to hold up the traffic on Monday so that students appearing for class 10 exams in the city are not delayed.
"I have only made an appeal that they should not cause any problem to the traffic since it's an exam day and more than one lakh students will get affected," Fadnavis said, referring to the ongoing standard 10th exams.
This Govt Can't Do Anything For You: Raj Thackeray to Farmers
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday came out in support of the farmers who have reached here after undertaking a 'Long March' to Mumbai from Nashik to press their various demands including full loan waiver.
"Don't forget your bleeding feet. These people (the BJP-led Maharashtra government) have shown you dreams, but have not kept their word," Thackeray said.
Greater Mumbai Municipal Corporation Supports Farmers Protest
The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) announced that it would provide water, toilets, and other amenities to the protesters at the farmers protest in Mumbai on 11 and 12 March.
The Municipal Corporation said that 40 mobile toilets, four water tankers, a stationary ambulance, and extra manpower would be provided to help the protesting farmers.
The Municipal Corporation added that pay-and-use toilets near Mumbai’s Azad Maidan have been instructed to provide free services for the next two days.
No Govt can Be Insensitive to Farmers' Problems: RSS
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) General Secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said there was a need to change the agrarian policy and the government has to ensure that farmers get a proper price for their produce. However, he noted that there were a few obstacles in doing so.
Replying to a query on farmers' issues, he said their problems should be understood sensitively and practical solutions found for them.
"No government can be insensitive on the questions related to farmers and it has to be sensitive towards farmers and find ways to address their problems. It is their job to think and find a solution,” Joshi told reporters at the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) of the RSS in Nagpur.
NCP Joins Farmers' Protest March, Mumbai
NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad and NCP female wing State President Chitra Wagh joined the farmers' rally in Vikhroli, Mumbai, promising the support of the NCP to the farmers’ protest.
Aditya Thackeray Meets Protesting Farmers in Mumbai, Talks Reportedly Fail
Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray met the farmers of All India Kisan Sabha and interacted with them shortly after the 30,000 strong group of protesters entered Mumbai.
Thackeray said, “Shiv Sena is with the farmers, not just in principle, but on ground as well. We stand by them," CNN News-18 reported.
CNN News-18 reported that the first round of talks had failed, with the leaders of the farmers’ protest stating that “no discussion had been held.”
Sitaram Yechury also hit out at the BJP Government in a tweet, stating that “farmers should get their rightful due.”
Will Fulfil Farmers' Demands: Maharashtra Govt After Preliminary Meeting
Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan assured that the government would look into the farmers’ demands and fulfill them, after holding a preliminary meeting with the leaders of the farmers association, the All India Kisan Sabha, CNN News-18 reported.
"The government will look into the demands of the farmers’ and fulfill them. A more comprehensive official delegation will meet with them tomorrow," Mahajan told CNN-News18
Agitating Farmers to Meet Maharashtra Government Delegation on 12 March
All India Kisan Sabha state general-secretary Ajit Nawale said the protest march would continue on Monday despite a meeting with a delegation of the Maharashtra government, FirstPost reported.
Nawale added that the agitators will halt at Mumbai’s Somaiya Ground on the night of 11 March and resume their protests at 9 am on Monday 12 March. Their protest will take them from Ghatkopar to Sion, Dadar, and then Byculla, FirstPost added. The agitations will end at CST, the report added.
Raj Thackeray to Meet Protesting Farmers at 5 PM
CNN News-18 reported that MNS President Raj Thackeray will meet with the protesting farmers at 5 pm to hear out their demands.
The farmers also said, to CNN News-18, that they were open to dialogue, but were upset that no one from the government had met them over their demands in the past week.
They added that they were relieved that the government was responding more actively after they entered Mumbai.
Farmer March Enters Mumbai
The All India Kisan Sabha's protest march has crossed Thane and Mulund areas and are now closer to the heart of Mumbai. Over 30,000 farmers are currently participating in the march, demanding complete loan waivers along with a number of other demands.
Traffic Advisory Issued in Mumbai
In view of this large incoming group of protestors, Mumbai Police has issued a traffic advisory and tightened security for Monday.
The Eastern Express Highway, southbound from Anandnagar toll plaza to the Somaiya ground, will remain closed on Monday for heavy and goods vehicles from 9 A M to 11 PM, Mumbai Police said in its advisory. These vehicles will alternately be diverted via Kalwa, Airoli, Vashi Creek and Vitava..
The Traffic Control Branch of the Mumbai Police also advised people to avoid travelling on the route of the march and use alternate routes (eg, LBS Road, Sion-Panvel Road, Thane-Belapur Road, etc).
35,000 Farmers Reach Thane
The All India Kisan Sabha’s (AIKS) protest march reaches Thane’s Anand Nagar. The AIKS is the farmer wing of Communist Party of India — Marxist (CPM). NDTV reports that the crowd has swollen to nearly 35,000 farmers with more joining along the way as they reach Mumbai.
The march will be attended by AIKS national president Ashok Dawale, CPM MLA JP Gavit, state president Kisan Gujar and working president Arjun Ade among others.
Why Are Thousands of Farmers Marching Towards Mumbai?
The Mumbai traffic police have already begun issuing traffic diversion plans, as the financial capital of India braces itself for over 30,000 farmers who are marching towards the city on Monday, 12 March. Hailing from Maharashtra’s most farmer suicide-prone districts, the group has been walking for four days, intending to cover 180 kilometres on foot from Nashik to Mumbai to convey their demands to the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government.
Proper implementation of the loan waiver scheme and implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission – these are the key demands of the farmers.
The farmers, who will reach Thane on Saturday, 10 March, are planning to arrive in Mumbai on Monday and ‘gherao’ the Maharashtra Assembly. The number of protesters is likely to swell by the time the group reaches Mumbai.
But what prompted them to hit the roads now? This is definitely not an overnight phenomenon.
Were the Political Promises Fulfilled?
After facing droughts for four consecutive years and subsequent crop failure, farmers across Marathwada and Vidarbha region turned to the state government to waive their loans. Forced to budge under pressure from farmers’ groups and the Opposition, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a historic loan waiver in June 2017 under the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana.
At the time of the announcement, the chief minister had claimed that Rs 34,020 crores would be allocated for the scheme. Not all farmers were eligible for full loan waiver. Those eligible to avail the scheme were clubbed into three categories –
1. Those who can avail full loan waiver
2. Those who were eligible to get an incentive amount
3. Those eligible for a one-time settlement
With the Central government refusing to lend a helping hand, the entire cost has to be borne by the state government. As of 6 March, Rs 13,782 crore have been handed out as loan waivers to 35.68 lakh farmers. At the time of announcement, 89 lakh farmers were expected to benefit from the scheme.
While farmers lashed out against the delay in implementing the loan waiver scheme and the many conditions placed on the beneficiaries, the Opposition too criticised the Fadnavis-led BJP government over the issue.
Tracking the Protest March
The 30,000 protesters have reached Bhiwandi in Thane district on Saturday, 10 March, after they left from Nashik on Wednesday.
The protesting farmers are likely to reach Mumbai at 10 am on 12 March.
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