Why farmers are marching 200 km to Mumbai: main demands explained

Protesting farmers, who are marching from Maharashtra's Nashik to the state capital Mumbai, reached Thane district on the morning of 16 March 2023.

On the same day, Maharashtra chief minister and other senior functionaries planned to hold another round of talks with a delegation representing the protesting farmers and tribals. A day earlier, ministers Dada Bhuse and Atul Save had met a delegation late at night.

Around 10,000 protestors are reportedly part of the march which was launched by CPI(M)'s All India Kisan Samiti on 12 March from Dindori town.

They have a charter of 17 demands. One of the main ones is an immediate financial relief of ₹600 per quintal to onion growers. The others include an uninterrupted electricity supply for 12 hours and a waiver of farm loans. They also reportedly want compensation for crops damaged in unseasonal rainfall and the implementation of the Forest Rights Act.

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