Thousands of farmers and tribals from Maharashtra’s Nashik district are making a pilgrimage towards Mumbai. The march entered Thane district on Wednesday. He started the padayatra from Dindori town on Sunday in support of various demands including immediate financial assistance of Rs.600 per quintal to onion farmers, uninterrupted power supply for 12 hours and farmer loan waiver. The farmers are demanding that measures be taken to stop the fall in the prices of soybean, cotton, and sweet potato and immediate support to the farmers who have suffered losses due to the recent untimely rains and other natural calamities.
CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nicolai said the march organized by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) passed through Kasara town in Thane district. Nicolai said the protesters are likely to reach Mumbai on March 20. The MLA said that a group of ministers from Maharashtra will hold talks with the representatives of the protesting farmers.
The Maharashtra government on Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 300 per quintal to the onion farmers who have suffered badly due to the fall in onion prices. Onion prices have fallen in Maharashtra, resulting in farmers getting very low prices for their produce. Nashik district is the main center of onion cultivation in the country.
Shinde-Fadnavis meeting with farmers tomorrow
Meanwhile, State Ministers Dada Bhuse and Atul Save met with farmers’ representatives. Maharashtra Minister Dada Bhuse said that they discussed their 14 issues. Agreed on many issues. We have discussed in detail. We also gave our approval on many things. We request CPI and farmers to meet CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis at Mantralayam. The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister will meet the farmers’ representatives at Mantralaya tomorrow at 3 pm.
What is the demand of farmers?
According to news agency PTI.. Per quintal onion farmers will get Rs. 600 farmers and tribals are marching towards the assembly in Mumbai city with demands like immediate financial assistance, 12-hour uninterrupted power supply to farmers and farm loan waiver. . The march was organized by CPI.
What does the CPI say?
CPI MLA Vinod Nikol said protesters are expected to reach Mumbai on March 20, with many walking barefoot in temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius. Shahpur police in Thane district said the Morcha members will stay at Kalamb village on Thursday before proceeding to Mumbai.
