Nashik Tribal Farmers Suspend Mumbai March Following Government Assurances
Farmers from tribal regions of Nashik district, who were marching toward Mumbai under the banner of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) to press for their longstanding demands, have decided to call off their protest movement. This decision came after the Maharashtra state government responded positively to their grievances through detailed discussions with key ministers.
Government Commitments on Forest Rights and Land Records
Former CPM legislator Jeeva Pandu Gavit, who participated in the negotiations, revealed that comprehensive discussions took place between the protesting farmers and state government representatives. The talks involved the revenue minister initially, followed by the water resources and forest ministers. The government has formally agreed to resolve all outstanding issues within a three-month timeframe, aligning with the nine-point charter of demands submitted by the farmers' delegation.
"In view of this concrete assurance from the administration, we collectively decided to withdraw the agitation," Gavit stated, explaining the farmers' decision to suspend their march.
One of the most critical demands raised during the protest concerned implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA). Gavit elaborated that while land parcels had been distributed to beneficiaries under this legislation, their names were not officially recorded in government land records. This administrative gap has rendered farmers ineligible for various government welfare schemes and agricultural support programs.
"This documentation failure has created significant hardship," Gavit emphasized. "Farmers cannot undertake development work or essential agricultural activities like irrigation on these lands, which has unfortunately triggered migration from these areas."
Specific Government Promises and Action Plans
The former MLA detailed several specific commitments made by the government during the negotiations:
- Forest Rights Act Implementation: The government assured that the forest department would raise the matter with the central government within fifteen days. Elected representatives, ministers, and senior officials will actively pursue resolution of these issues.
- Review of Rejected Claims: In cases where FRA claims were previously rejected, the government promised to direct district-level committees to review these applications thoroughly and work toward appropriate resolutions.
- Recruitment in PESA Areas: The administration committed to initiating regular recruitment processes in Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) regions after completion of ongoing election procedures. Currently, outsourcing arrangements are being used temporarily for appointing teachers and other staff, but proper recruitment procedures will be established from the next financial year onward.
- Water Allocation Commitments: Regarding water availability under interlinking projects, the government assured that fifteen percent of diverted water would be reserved specifically for local use. Authorities also committed to exploring measures to potentially increase this allocation and to construct weirs that would prevent runoff while improving local irrigation facilities.
Transportation Arrangements and Conclusion
Following the agreement, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation arranged approximately forty-eight buses to transport the protesting farmers back to their villages across multiple talukas. These included Kalwan, Satana, Surgana, Peth, Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, and other affected regions.
The resolution represents a significant development in addressing the concerns of tribal agricultural communities in Maharashtra, particularly regarding land rights, resource allocation, and sustainable development in rural areas. The three-month timeframe for implementation will be closely monitored by farmer representatives and community leaders to ensure all commitments are fulfilled as promised.
