Maharashtra Government Reaches Agreement with Farmers, March Called Off
A significant farmers' march to Mumbai was halted after successful negotiations with the Maharashtra government regarding various agricultural issues.
Maharashtra government to reinstate 8.1 million women in the Ladki Bahin scheme.
Farmers assured of additional support for drought relief beyond standard norms.
Over 7,000 farmers participated in the march, which was called off after talks.
In a pivotal development, a large-scale farmers' march from Akole to Mumbai was called off following productive discussions with the Maharashtra government. The meeting involved a 28-member delegation from the Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha (ABKS) and key officials, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar. The negotiations, held at the Sahyadri state guesthouse, focused on addressing the concerns of farmers, agricultural laborers, and tribal communities.
The Maharashtra government announced that it would reconsider the inclusion of tribal women in the Ladki Bahin scheme, particularly those who had not completed their KYC processes. Additionally, it was confirmed that women who have fulfilled the requirements will receive their pending payments promptly. Ajit Navale, vice-president of ABKS, stated that the government committed to reinstating approximately 8.1 million women who had previously been removed from the scheme due to incomplete documentation.
During the discussions, the government also assured that drought-affected farmers would receive assistance exceeding the norms set by the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Furthermore, the release of two pending installments under the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi scheme was promised. The Chief Minister indicated that the proposal to increase the incentive grant for timely loan repayments would be reviewed by the loan waiver sub-committee, with a favorable decision anticipated.
The march, which saw participation from over 7,000 farmers across 400 vehicles from more than 20 districts, had progressed to Igatpuri in Nashik before the negotiations took place. To alleviate traffic disruptions, highway police temporarily rerouted vehicles from the old Kasara Ghat route to the new highway. Meanwhile, another protest, the Samvidhan Hakk Sangharsh Morcha, saw thousands of tribal participants demanding resolution of forest land claims and improved access to essential services.
Looking ahead, the ABKS and tribal representatives are expected to continue engaging with the government to ensure the implementation of the agreements reached. The government’s commitment to addressing various legislative and infrastructural issues affecting tribal communities is seen as a positive step towards fostering better relations and support for farmers in Maharashtra.
