Mumbai: The newly-formed steering committee of the Kisan Kranti Morcha has given a two-day ultimatum to the State government to accept demands made by farmers, or brace for another round of protests from June 12.
Following a meeting in Nashik on Thursday, committee convenor Ajit Nawale said, “The government knows our demands. Unless it takes a final call on them within two days, we will protest outside tehsil offices on June 12 and stage rail roko agitations across the State on June 13.”
At the meeting, independent MLA Bacchu Kadu said, “We changed the crop, fertilisers and even the government, but nothing has changed. Police beat us up but never touch the bootlegger or the drug peddler. If this continues, it’s time to cut off the supply of vegetables to the CM’s residence in Mumbai.”
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Mr. Fadnavis said after a review meeting of the State Cooperative Department to speed up crop loan disbursement initiatives for farmers that funds will be arranged for from commercial banks and State Central Co-op Banks to disburse loans where district banks are in bad condition. He tweeted that the Sulabh Pik Karj Abhiyan (Crop Loan Disbursement Programme) will be implemented till July 31 and farmers meetings will be organised for their convenience.
He said officials also made presentations for creating facilities like cold storages, value added chains in association with the marketing federation & warehousing corporation.
Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raghunath Patil, however, said farmers are committing suicides due to outstanding loans. “The CM fooled innocent farmers,” he alleged.
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