Why did Maharashtra farmers call off their strike? Here are 5 things Fadnavis offered them

Mumbai city news: Some farmers from Nashik said they would continue their agitation as they were unsatisfied with the state’s response

After going on strike for 48 hours, leading vegetable prices across Maharashtra to soar, farmers called off their agitation after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis gave them several assurances.

Fadnavis met farmers’ representatives at his official residence early on Saturday. (HT File Photo)

While the state has not given in to all the farmers’ demands, a core committee said 70% of the protesters’ demands would be met. Some farmers from Nashik said they would continue their agitation as they were unsatisfied with the state’s response.

1. Fadnavis said loan waivers will be given to small and debt-ridden farmers who have been pushed out of the institutional credit system. A committee of government officials and farmers’ representatives will be set up to work out the details of this scheme. They are expected to arrive at a consensus by October.

2. A bill tabled in the monsoon session of the state legislature will make buying agricultural products for less than the minimum support price a criminal offence. A state agriculture costs and prices commission will be set up on the lines of the Centre to look into minimum support prices.

3. The state will hike milk prices. A state regulator will fix the final price by June 20.

4. The state will come up with a scheme to subsidise farmers’ pending power bills.

5. The state will speed up efforts to set up cold storage chains and warehouses to improve supply chain management for agricultural produce. Farmers who want to set up food-producing units will be given subsidies. Criminal offences registered against striking farmers will be cancelled.