Mumbai, Mar 12: Nearly 50,000 farmers have been restricted by the Mumbai police at the Azad Maidan, denying them permission to march ahead to the State Assembly. The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), which has been leading the agitation from Nashik, said the march will continue to the legislature building if talks with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis fail to bring a positive outcome.

A 20-member delegation, led by AIKS president Ashok Dhawale, was invited for talks by Fadnavis. Their meeting was expected to begin at 1 pm. Dhawale, while speaking to reporters, said the future course of action would be planned after meeting the CM. "We are hopeful of a positive outcome. If not, then the march will continue," he said.

What the farmers are demanding

- A "complete loan waiver" for state-wide farmers, instead of the regulated package announced by the Fadnavis government last year. The AIKS has alleged massive irregularities in the Rs 34,200-crore loan-waiver scheme rolled out last year. Apart from the credit taken from banks, the farmers have also sought an unconditional waiver for the pending electricity bills.

- Implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, which would raise the minimum support price (MSP) on farm produce by 150 per cent. The MSP hike was assured by the government after the agrarian agitation in Western Maharashtra last year. The promise, however, has not been fulfilled.

- Increase in compensation announced for farmers affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorm. While Fadnavis, in the last month, had announced Rs 6,800-13,500 per acre as compensation, the AIKS has demanded Rs 40,000 per acre of damaged crop.

- Allocation of land to landless adivasi cultivators, along with increased access to the forest.

- A pension policy for farmers above the age of 60 years, on lines of the National Pension Scheme for the government employees.

How the government has responded so far

While chairing a cabinet meeting on Sunday evening, Fadnavis said he is "positive" about the demands raised by the AIKS. "A six-member committee will be set-up to look into the demands and suggest steps for implementation," he was reported as saying.

The point was reiterated by Fadnavis while addressing the Maharashtra Assembly earlier today. The government is committed to the farmers, the CM told the lawmakers, claiming that the demands raised by the farmers "would be positively addressed".

Ahead of Fadnavis' meeting with the Kisan Sabha delegation, reports citing sources claimed the government is "ready to accept 80 per cent" of their demands.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 12, 2018 12:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).