More than 12,000 farmers and rural workers are on a long march to Mumbai demanding more drought relief, quicker crop insurance payments and a wider loan waiver, Hindustan Times and India TV reported. The march, led by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), set off from Akole on October 26 and on Tuesday the marchers, carrying red flags, moved from Igatpuri along the Nashik-Mumbai highway toward the Kasara Ghat climb.

Source: Hindustan Times via NewsPlainly

The vehicle-led march draws people from more than 20 districts and follows a six-day sit-in at Akole, called a Maha-Mukkam Satyagraha by the organisers, from October 21 to 26. AIKS national president Ashok Dhawale, general secretary Vijoo Krishnan, joint secretary Ajit Nawale and CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole were present at the start in Akole, India TV reported. Alongside farmers, the march includes PESA workers, construction workers, ASHA workers and anganwadi staff, according to the reports.

12,000+farmers and rural workers on the march
305 of 358Maharashtra talukas declared drought-hit
18%monsoon rainfall shortfall, June 1 to September 26

The march comes after the state declared drought in 305 of its 358 talukas — about 85 per cent of the state. The government first declared drought in 265 talukas on September 26 and added 40 more in October. Between June 1 and September 26, Maharashtra received 798.2 mm of rain against an average of 970.9 mm, a shortfall of 18 per cent, with Marathwada worst hit at a 38 per cent deficit and Vidarbha's 11 districts averaging 27 per cent, according to figures reported by The Hindu and cited in the coverage.

The Kisan Sabha has called the state's Rs 5,000 advance payment to each farmer before Diwali inadequate, India TV reported. AIKS leader Ajit Nawale argued that farmers who repay their loans on time should also benefit from the loan waiver, Hindustan Times reported; the organisation is seeking a Rs 2 lakh waiver extended to regular repayers, release of pending Namo Shetkari instalments and clear action on held-up crop-insurance claims. The state has separately sought a Rs 17,500 crore relief package from the Centre — yaani Rs 175 billion — comprising Rs 13,000 crore for crop losses and Rs 4,500 crore for fodder, Hindustan Times reported.

The Kisan Sabha alleged that the government sent notices through the police to stop the march from reaching Varsha, the chief minister's official residence in Mumbai, instead of holding talks — an allegation the reports read for this story did not carry a government or police reply to. The organisation said it wants a written commitment from the chief minister on every demand and will keep protesting until it gets one. Hindustan Times reported that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was expected to meet a delegation of farmers on Tuesday evening.