Opposition corners chief minister, maha govt over farmer, tribals agitations

Mumbai: The Opposition on Thursday cornered the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government over protests by farmers and tribals.

As soon as the state Assembly gathered, the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, raised the issue of the farmers and tribals who had marched to Mumbai.

Mr Vikhe-Patil demanded that the business of the day be suspended and that the farmers’ march issue be taken up for discussion under Rule 57 of the Vidhan Sabha.

Mr Vikhe-Patil said that following the farmers’ protest in March this year, the government promised that it would resolve all issues raised by them within six months but failed to fulfil their demands which is why they were forced to organise a protest march. This clearly showed the failure of the government, he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar told the House that 26,000 farmers had committed suicide but the state government had helped the families of only 13,000 farmers. The widows of these farmers had been sitting in protest and seeking justice.

Replying to the queries raised by the Opposition in the lower House, Mr Fadnavis said that there were certain issues with the forest lands.

He said that 32,000 claims with respect to forest lands had been disposed of in one district. The government had passed an Act for forest lands in 2005. The objections had been raised over claims after 2005. Only those claims had been pending. There were certain errors with settled cases. The lands, which had been given to the tribals by the forest department were less than what they originally had. Therefore, they were demanding all land belonging to tribals within an area of five hectares.