All India Kisan Sabha-led march of farmers, Tribals inches closer to Mumbai

Thousands of farmers and Tribals are marching towards Mumbai from Nashik district in northern Maharashtra. This march entered Thane district on Wednesday. They began a foot march from Dindori town on Sunday in support of various demands including immediate financial relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers, uninterrupted power supply for 12 hours and farm loan waiver.

The farmers are also demanding measures to arrest the fall in prices of soyabean, cotton and tur, and immediate relief to farmers affected by the recent unseasonal rains and other natural calamities.

CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikolay said that the march organized by the Communist Party of India-Marxist passed through Kasara town in Thane district adjoining Mumbai. Nikolay said that the protesters are likely to reach Mumbai on March 20. The MLA said that a delegation of ministers from Maharashtra would hold talks with the representatives of the protesting farmers.

The Maharashtra government on Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 300 per quintal to onion farmers who were badly affected by the sharp fall in onion prices. Onion prices have fallen in Maharashtra, resulting in farmers getting very low prices for their produce. Nashik district is a major center of onion cultivation in the country.

This long march of farmers has been supported by the opposition leaders of Maharashtra. Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray attacked the state government on this issue on Wednesday. Uddhav Thackeray said, ‘The one whom we call Annadata, he needs to come here from so far away.’ It’s a shame. Farmers are coming here, when will you meet.

Earlier, when such a march had taken place a few years ago, some people including Aditya had gone from Shiv Sena’s side. They wanted something including water, we gave them that. Farmers are coming here, you should have gone there and met them. Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister are people’s people.

After the announcement of the farmers’ delegation not coming to Mumbai to meet the government, now a delegation from the state government will go to meet the farmers. He will try to find a solution to this matter.

Cabinet Minister Dada Bhuse said, ‘There are 14 issues of the farmers. I think we will do whatever can be done within the ambit of the law.