Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to meet a delegation of farmers on Tuesday evening. Over 12,000 farmers began a march to Mumbai on Tuesday demanding immediate relief for drought-hit farmers, crop insurance payments, and loan waivers, under the banner of the Leftist All India Kisan Sabha.
The farmers carrying red flags began their march from Igatpuri to Mumbai along the Nashik–Mumbai highway. They are demanding adequate financial assistance for drought-affected farmers, the immediate settlement of crop insurance claims and legal ownership rights for those cultivating forest land.
All India Kisan Sabha leader Ajit Nawale called for reform in the farm loan waiver policy. He argued that farmers who regularly repay their loans should benefit from the scheme. They called for fair wages and social security benefits for rural workers and scheme workers. The fodder situation has emerged as a major concern amid the drought. Drinking water scarcity and fodder availability for livestock are among the biggest challenges.
The marchers demanded uninterrupted disbursement of financial assistance under government schemes such as the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana under which farmers get an additional ₹ 6,000 per year from the state government in three equal instalments. The Maharashtra Cabinet this month approved adding 40 more talukas to the drought-hit list, taking their number to 305, and paying ₹ 5,000 in advance to each farmer before Diwali as a relief measure. The state has a total of 358 talukas. On October 7, Fadnavis met Union home minister Amit Shah and submitted an interim proposal seeking a ₹ 17,500 crore relief package. The proposal covered ₹ 13,000 crore for crop losses and ₹ 4,500 crore for fodder management. Water has been reserved for drinking purposes until August 2027, with separate provisions for people and livestock.
The government has said it will procure fodder at an assured price and encourage farmers to cultivate it and ensure adequate availability for livestock. The state government said it has prioritised drinking water supply, particularly in villages where water sources have dried up.
