Farmers' march to Mumbai: CM says talks positive

Farmers' march to Mumbai: CM says talks positive

Mumbai, Mar 17 (PTI) As thousands of farmers continued their walk towards Mumbai on Thursday to press their demands, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called his meeting with their delegation positive and said the government would make a statement in the legislature on the issue. Farmers want government to take concrete measures. Foot march has entered the Thane district.

CM has told reporters that inital discussions are positive. Farmesr are demanding Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers, waiver of agricultural loans and 12 uninterrupted electicity supply. 

The protesters, holding red flags, started their foot march from Dindori town in Nashik district, around 200 km from Mumbai, on Sunday.CPM leader Jiva Gavit, who is leading the ''long march'', said it will continue till the government takes some concrete steps to resolve farmers' issues.

''They (the government) have to show the willingness to implement it, give orders to officials. When we find that the administration has started working...when we get messages from our taluka and villages that officials are on the ground, only then we will stop the long march,'' he told reporters after the meeting. The march started with the determination that farmers will reach the Legislature Complex in Mumbai, and they have enough stock of food grains, Gavit added.