Govt positive towards farmers' demands: Fadnavis

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was responding to a discussion in the Assembly on Monday, said his government was "sensitive and positive" towards the demands of farmers and tribals, who have marched from Nashik to Mumbai to draw the administration's attention towards their problems.

The Azad Maidan in South Mumbai turned into a sea of red this morning as thousands of farmers, carrying red flags, converged here after walking around 180 kms from the neighbouring Nashik district over the last six days.

The farmers plan to surround the Assembly complex to press for their demands of an unconditional loan waiver, and transfer of forest land to tribal farmers who have been tilling it for years.

The CPI(M)-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha is spearheading the protest.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar also appreciated the protesters for not causing any hardships to students appearing for exams.

Ganpatrao Deshmukh (of the Peasants and Workers Party) and Shamburaje Desai (of the Shiv Sena) also appreciated the protesters for conducting a peaceful and disciplined march from Nashik to Mumbai.

Taking the farmer's issue on a new urgency, Fadnavis said the demands of protestors were very important.

"Around 90 to 95 per cent of the participants are poor tribals. They are fighting for forest land rights. They are landless and can't do farming. The government is sensitive and positive towards their demands," the chief minister said.

"A ministerial committee has been formed to discuss the demands with protesters. We will take a decision to resolve their issues in a time-bound manner," he said.

Fadnavis said his government has been in touch with the march organisers since March 6.

The committee formed to resolve the farmers' issues includes revenue minister Chandrakant Patil, water resources minister Girish Mahajan, co-operation minister Subhash Deshmukh, public undertakings minister Eknath Shinde and tribal welfare minister Vishnu Savra.

Non-implementation of recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission and the Forest Rights Act were the issues that led the farmers organise a march to protest against the alleged failures of the BJP government on the farm front.

The farmers have demanded a change in the plan to link rivers in Nashik, Thane and Palghar districts so as to ensure that tribal lands are not submerged and water from the scheme be made available to these areas and other drought-prone districts.

They are also protesting against the state government's land acquisition for projects such as high speed rail and super highways.

"We are demanding an increase in pension schemes for poor peasants and farm workers, compensation for losses due to pink bollworm and pest attacks and rehauling of the public distribution system," the march organisers had earlier said.

"But they were adamant on the march. We tried to talk to them. All help was provided, like traffic management and deployment of medical vans," he said.

The chief minister said he has invited the march leaders for talks at the Vidhan Bhavan later today.