Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday met a delegation of farmers here even as thousands of farmers continued their march towards Mumbai from Nashik district to press their demands. The meeting was underway, said an official in the Chief Minister's Office. Earlier, the state government rushed ministers Dada Bhuse and Atul Save to hold a discussion with the farmers whose demands include an immediate financial relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers, uninterrupted electricity supply for 12 hours and a waiver of agriculture loans.
The 200-km march from Nashik to Mumbai has entered Day 5Cracked soles, swollen feet and many companions hospitalised - farmers marching from Nashik to Mumbai are braving all odds to continue their agitation for relief to onion growers and several other demands.As the 200-km march entered its fifth day today, NDTV spoke to some of the farmers during a short break in their long, arduous journey.Most of them had deep cracks on their soles. Some of them had wrapped cloth in their sandals after the leather edges started stinging.Asked if she will rest for a bit, an elderly woman said, "No, I will keep on walking for our demands."Ambulances had been called in for those feeling unwell. One of the farmers sitting in an ambulance broke down. He said he was not feeling well and that his feet were hurt after his slippers tore. He said he has money but could not find any store he could buy slippers at. Others said they were feeling dizzy and weak.The march has been organised by the CPM and besides farmers, many workers in the unorganised sector and and members of tribal communities have joined it.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comThe farmers have a long list of demands, including an immediate financial relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers who have been hit hard by a steep fall in prices. Many of the farmers are from tribal communities and are demanding land rights. Also on the list of demands is uninterrupted electricity supply for 12 hours and a waiver of agriculture loans.The Maharashtra government has reached out to the farmers. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis and other senior ministers will meet them today. Two ministers, Dada Bhuse and Atul Save, have already held a meeting with farmers' representatives after the march entered Thane last night.
The march, which started from Dindori in Nashik district, will cover 200 km before it reaches MumbaiMumbai: As thousands of Maharashtra farmers march towards Mumbai with a list of demands, drones captured visuals of the rally as it wound through meandering roads and different terrains while inching close to the Maximum City.The march, which started from Dindori in Nashik district, has been organised by the CPM and will cover 200 km before it reaches Mumbai.Organisers said that besides farmers, many workers in the unorganised sector, such as ASHA workers, and members of tribal communities have joined the march.The Farmers' DemandsThe farmers marching to Mumbai have a long list of demands, including an immediate financial relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers. Onion farmers in Maharashtra have been hit hard by a steep fall in prices. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said high production has led to this situation and announced a compensation of Rs 300 per quintal to onion farmers.The farmers are also demanding uninterrupted electricity supply for 12 hours and a waiver of agriculture loans. They also want steps to arrest a slide in the prices of soybean, cotton and tur and immediate relief to farmers affected by recent unseasonal rains and other natural calamities.Those in the procession are also demanding implementation of the Old Pension Scheme for state government employees who have joined service post-2005.The Government's ResponseThe state government has reached out to the protesting farmers and two cabinet ministers, Dada Bhuse and Atul Save, will be meeting them on their way to Mumbai. A meeting was scheduled yesterday between representatives of the farmers and the state government, but could not take place. The farmers have now demanded that government representatives come and meet them.Leader of the Opposition Ajit Pawar and CPM MLA Vinod Nikole have said in the Assembly that the government must talk to the farmers. In response, minister Bhuse said they will hold a meeting and hopes to reach an understanding with the farmers.Speaking to NDTV, Mr Bhuse said, "They have 14 demands. The government will address them to the extent possible under the ambit of law."A 2018 ReplugPromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comThe ongoing foot march by the farmers is similar to the 2018 'Kisan Long March' from Nashik to Mumbai. Also organised by the Left parties, the march had seen participation of thousands of farmers. They had demanded a loan waiver and transfer of forest land to tribal farmers tilling it for years.Once the protest reached Mumbai, then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had accepted the farmers' demands.
The march will cover a distance of around 200 km to reach MumbaiMumbai: Thousands of farmers and tribals launched a march towards Mumbai from Nashik district in North Maharashtra on Tuesday in support of their demands, including an immediate financial relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers, uninterrupted electricity supply for 12 hours and a waiver of agriculture loans.They have also sought measures to arrest the fall of soybean, cotton and tur prices, and immediate relief to farmers affected by recent unseasonal rains and other natural calamities.The protesters demanded implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for state government employees who have joined service post-2005.The march, organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), started from Dindori in Nashik district and will cover a distance of around 200km to reach Mumbai.Raising the issue in the state Assembly, which is having its budget session, CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole said a meeting between the state government and representatives of the agitating farmers was scheduled for Tuesday, but it was cancelled.Ports and Mining Minister Dada Bhuse, who is also the Guardian minister of Nashik, said the government will hold a meeting with farmer representatives on Wednesday and hoped to reach an understanding on issues raised by the cultivators and tribals.In the Maharashtra Assembly, Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar urged the government to hold immediate talks with farmers keeping in view the prevailing hot weather as many protesters are walking barefoot.The Maharashtra government on Monday announced a compensation of Rs 300 per quintal to onion farmers who are severely affected by a steep fall in prices of the commodity.Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had announced the decision in the Assembly and said it will provide relief to onion growers.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comPrices of the kitchen staple have crashed in Maharashtra, resulting in farmers getting very little for their produce.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government will be soon use drones for surveillance in major prisons in the state, an official said on Tuesday. As part of its prison modernization drive, the government would be buying a dozen micro unmanned aerial vehicles (drones fitted with cameras) valued at Rs1.8 crore and four X-ray baggage inspection systems valued at Rs1.9 crore, he said. The home department on Monday sanctioned funds to purchase modern security-related equipment for the prisons department, he added. Drones with cameras would enable monitoring of activities of prison inmates and also enhance their safety, the official said. Important prisons in Maharashtra are Arthur Road Jail, Mumbai; Yerwada Central Jail, Pune; Nagpur Central Jail; Nashik Road Central Jail; Taloja Central Jail, Kharghar and Thane Central Prison.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government would be soon using drones for surveillance purposes in major prisons in the state, an official said on Tuesday.As part of its prison modernization drive, the government would be buying a dozen Micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones fitted with cameras) valued at Rs 1.8 crore and four X-Ray baggage inspection systems valued at Rs 1.94 crore, he said.The home department on Monday sanctioned funds to purchase modern security-related equipment for the prisons department, he added.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comDrones with cameras would enable monitoring of the activities of prison inmates and also enhance their safety, the official said.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)Featured Video Of The DayBipasha Basu On "Mom Guilt" After Leaving Baby Devi At Home For The First Time
