Farmers decided to call off their march after state revenue minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, tribal development minister Vijaykumar Gavit and labour minister Suresh Khade held a meeting with All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) members on Thursday and accepted most of their demands.
They have also agreed that all three ministers will come to Dhandarphal Budruk village in Ahmednagar and address the protestors and publicly declare that their demands have been accepted.
After the meeting, Vikhe Patil said various issues were discussed with AIKS leaders at length. “We (the government) took some decisions and gave an assurance to the farmers that their demands will be met in a time-bound manner,” said Vikhe Patil.
The ministers also agreed to give written minutes of their meetings held on April 25 and 27.
Thousands of farmers started their 53-km long march on Wednesday at Akole in Ahmednagar district and the AIKS-led march was to conclude on Friday in Loni.
The AIKS members had earlier alleged that Vikhe Patil invited them for talks on Tuesday and some issues were discussed, but no other minister was present and hence they decided to go ahead with the march.
The farmers, who have been opposing the import of milk and dairy products, also demanded adequate compensation for crop loss due to natural calamities, increased pensions for peasants, agricultural workers and the destitute among other demands.
{{/usCountry}}The farmers, who have been opposing the import of milk and dairy products, also demanded adequate compensation for crop loss due to natural calamities, increased pensions for peasants, agricultural workers and the destitute among other demands.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier in March this year, at least 20,000 farmers set out on a march from Dindori in Nashik, towards Mumbai to press for various demands.