Demands Unfulfilled, Farmers March to Mumbai Again

After almost a year, farmers have again decided to organise a march to Mumbai later this month. Thousands of farmers from 23 districts will reach Mumbai on February 27, said All India Kisan Sabha Maharashtra's General Secretary Dr Ajit Navale on Tuesday. 

Around a year ago, over 40,000 farmers had marched from Nasik to Mumbai demanding loan waiver, implementation of recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, irrigation projects for their fields etc. The agitation had caused a nationwide stir, which had forced the Maharashtra government to consider the farmers’ demands. 

"But none of the demands have been met on the ground. This government is anti-farmer. Instead of implementing Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, what they gave us is Rs 3.28 per day. This is rubbing salt on our wounds. That's why farmers have decided to march again to Mumbai now," said Navale. 

Farmers will embark on the march on February 20 from Nasik. "It is expected that farmers from 23 districts of state will participate this time. The number will be double the last time. This government doesn't understand pain of the farmers. We will show the India how farmers are suffering due to the apathy of the BJP government," added Dr Navale. 

This time as well, the farmers' demands remain almost the same: immediate farm loan waiver across the nation, immediate steps to change the course of the rivers – running towards Western sea – to Eastern and drought-affected districts, immediate aid for drought-affected farmers, law for MSP plus 50 per cent rates to agricultural products, and handover of the land to the farmers who are taking crops on it for the years.

In March 2018, farmers had marched from Nasik to Mumbai. The state government had assured the farmers, but has not acted on its promises.