Kisan March in Mumbai: Most Demands of Farmers Accepted in Writing, Says CM Devendra Fadnavis
The government has, however, not committed to the demand of "completely waiving" the agrarian loans and electricity bills.
Mumbai, Mar 12: Most demands of the protesting farmers have been accepted in writing, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, after meeting the delegation of All India Kisan Sabha, under whose aegis the 180-km Kisan Long March was conducted from Nashik to Mumbai.
The government, while issuing a written response to the AIKS delegation, presented a timeline to accept most of the demands, except the "complete waiver" of agrarian loans and electricity bills.
Among other demands raised by the AIKS includes a pension scheme for farmers above 60 years of age, allocation of land to adivasi cultivators and increased compensation to farmers affected by unseasonal rain and hailstorm last month.
"We have accepted most of their demands and have given them a written letter. Our tribal farmers will be allocated land as per their demand," Fadnavis said, while addressing the press.
On the minimum support prices (MSP) on farm produce, the CM said, "We are working towards implementing the Swaminathan Commission report, which would raise the MSP."
"But I want to ask the Opposition -- why Dr Manmohan Singh did not implement the Swaminathan Commission under his tenure despite the report being tabled in 2006," Fadnavis said.
The Kisan Sabha was yet to reveal its future course of action. AIKS state unit secretary Ajit Nawale, while addressing the farmers today, said the agitation would not conclude till "the loans of farmers are completely waived off".
Government sources, while speaking to reporters, have confirmed that a truce has been reached. In order to send back the farmers, the Central Railways will be running two special trains from Mumbai to Bhusawal at 8:50 pm and 10:00 pm today.
State Tribal Development Minister Vishnu Savara said the government will be able to fulfill most of the demands in a "6-month time period".
Meanwhile, Ahmednagar-based anti-graft activist Anna Hazare, known for his Lokpal movement in 2011, warned the government of an unprecedented agitation if the farmers are "betrayed again".
"You (government) had made promises last year as well. 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," he said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 12, 2018 06:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).