Famers’ Outfit to Hold Rail-roko, Rasta-roko Protest on 8th January

The All India Kisan Sabha’s (AIKS) Maharashtra unit plans to stage a protest on 8th January 2019 - through a rasta-roko and rail-roko - demanding implementation of MSP or minimum support price, drought assistance, farmers’ land rights and preventing farmers’ suicides.

The AIKS will also provide support to the Gramin Bharat Bandh on 8th and 9th January 2019 against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘non-committal’ stand on farm loan waivers. The decision was made at the Kisan Sabha gathering in Pune.

Ajit Nawale of AIKS told that onion farmers in Maharashtra are suffering at the moment as are those in drought-affected areas of the state. The organisation is demanding that the PM should visit the drought-affected regions of Marathwada and declare a special relief package.

President of AIKS, Ashok Dhawale alleged that drought assistance has not reached many villages and suicide by farmer’s still continues. He added that “Several villages in Maharashtra are affected because of drought, but no relief work is being carried out. Moreover, names of several villages that are affected are not taken owing to the flawed policy of the Central government”.

Nawale also said, “Farmers who were cheated in the loan waiver - and not been provided crop insurance or compensation for crop damage — continue to commit suicide. And thus, a strong demonstration will be staged.”

The farmers’ group also criticizes the state government over the subsidy for onion growers in Maharashtra. On Thursday, the government announced Rs. 200/quintal onion subsidy days after two farmers had send money orders to Prime Minister and Chief Minister Fadnavis marking their protest against plunging prices.

AIKS statement also said, “In 2016 when the prices had plunged, the state government announced a subsidy of Rs. 100 but up till now, no money has not reached the farmers”.