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It was in March this year when farmers from all over Maharashtra rallied from Nashik to Mumbai. Exactly eight months since then, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) announced that it will again hold similar march in November, but the venue this time will be Delhi.
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“We have announced a farmers’ march on November 29 and 30 in Delhi as the assurances given by the government are not yet fulfilled,” president of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Dr Ashok Dhawale, was quoted as saying by NDTV.
Farmer Hanumant Dharmagavale, who had walked 200 kms to Mumbai from Nashik to get his problems heard, but it seems those fell on deaf ears. Almost a year has passed, Dharmagavale hasn’t received any help from government following the destruction of 90 per cent of his 5-acre paddy field due to drought.
“We are not getting the Minimum Support Price or MSP for our crops. The MSP promised is only on paper; it hasn’t been implemented yet,” Dharmagavale said.
Widow Sumanrao Bigte is in a precarious state as she earns only Rs 100 per day after a gruelling 12-hour slog on the field, but that too has to depend on availability of work. “I don’t get money on time as there is no work. I have to pay utility bills, children’s education and costs are spiralling,” she was quoted by the same website.
Sharad Pawar, NCP supremo, is learnt to have reached out to opposition parties to join hands on the farmers’ issue. Pawar has already lashed out at BJP-led government saying the focus isn’t on farmers but on temples. Pawar’s claims were endorsed by former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, who also happens to be the state Congress chief.
The situation of farmers has worsen so much owing to regular drought, that farmers based in central Maharashtra are left with no option but to migrate in search of livelihood.
Among the 12-point agenda AIKS has prepared include declaration of drought in Maharashtra, MSP as promised, loan waiver without conditions and forest rights for tribals.
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