Farmers gear up for mega stir today

Mumbai: The state’s farmers are determined to go ahead with the Maharashtra Bandh on Monday after rejecting chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ assurance of loan waiver. Nashik, Pune, and parts of western Maharashtra will be more affected but Mumbai will not feel the pinch.  A group of farmers may have decided to withdraw the stir on Saturday, but all other farmers’ organisations have declared their intention of continuing with the stir and backed the bandh call.

Despite protests, the prices of vegetables and fruits came down marginally on Sunday. However, in rural Maharashtra, especially in the western region, vegetable trucks and milk tankers were stopped and markets remained closed.

Weekly bazaars were also hit by the strike. Farmers burnt effigies of Sadabhau Khot, minister of state for agriculture and horticulture marketing and textiles, and activist Jayaji Suryavanshi, who negotiated with the CM on Friday and called an end to the stir.

Officials said precautionary measures were in place to ensure that the common man would not be affected. APMC officials said their supply of goods has increased compared to first two days. The market was closed on Sunday. The retail market received a lukewarm response from consumers.