Fatmers’ Issues and Wage Increase for Scheme Workers Resolved Satisfactorily

sangamner । Zunjhar News

Thousands of farmers and a section of scheme workers walked sixty kilometres for three days until the state government finally conceded their main demands. The Long March by farmers and scheme workers was jointly led under the banners of the AIKS and CITU in Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) district. The march, in which thousands participated, began at Rajur in Akole Taluka on 24 February and ended successfully at Nizarneshwar in Sangamner Taluka on 27 February on its way to the district headquarters.

The state government was found dragging its feet over implementing the promises made in the wake of Palghar and Nashik Long Marches.

Added to those issues some very important issues specific to Akole and Sangamner talukas were taken up in this Long March.

The March reached close to the border of Loni, home town of the powerful Water Resources Minister in the Phadanvis government and Sugar baron Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil. Rattled by the determination and militancy showed by the marching farmers and workers, the state government had invited the CPI(M) leaders for talks at the Mantralaya in Mumbai on 26 February, which were inconclusive. This meeting was represented on the government side by Guardian Minister Vikhe-Patil, School Education Minister Dadasaheb Bhuse, Helath Minister Prakash Abitkar, Adivasi Welfare Minister Ashok Uike and secretaries of several departments. The government representatives were tentative about getting an assurance of the Chief Minister and the talks remained inconclusive. It was therefore decided to continue the March.

The Marchers had put in 18 demands on behalf of the adivasis cultivating Forest lands, old age pensions, remuneration to the state disabled, scheme workers belonging to AASHA, Anganwadi, midday meals and construction workers.

As the March inched forward towards the Guardian Minister’s home town, the minister in panic took initiating further parleys with his ministerial colleagues and also Chief Minister Devendra Phadnavis. The issues were also placed the cabinet meeting and decided to raise the wages of Part Time Lady Attendants of the Health Department by Rs 2,000 and Rs. 1000 to the school midday meals workers. Financial provision to meet these expenses was also urgently met.

The government also assured to expedite the resolution of the following demands: Begin a survey to ensure water for drinking and irrigation from Bhandardara dam to adivasis, implementing immediate decision of handing over ownership rights to the adivasis of the land they tilled and the plots on which they have built houses, sanctioning family mediclaim scheme to construction workers etc. The government decisions were communicated to the Marchers by Additional district Collector, Additional Superintendent of Police and other officers. Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil and Dadasaheb Bhuse also addressed the Marchers through video conference and assured them of the quick implementation of the government’s decisions on all eighteen issues.

The March was led in various stages by PBM Mariam Dhawale, CCM and MLA Vinod Nikole, AIKS State President Umesh Deshmukh, Leader of Midday meals workers Ashok Thorat, AIKS office bearers Jitendra Chopade, Uddhav Paul, Rameshwar Paul, Deepak Lipane, Dharma Shinde and SFI leaders Navnath More and Tabrez Shaikh.

Great efforts were made under the leadership of Dr. Ajit Nawale by, among others, Sadashiv Sabale, Namdeo Bhangre, Eknath Mengal, Ganesh Tajane, Sangita Salve, Hemlata Shelke, Tulshiram Katore, Suman Virnak, Rajaram Gambhire, Tarachand Vidhe and Mathurabai Barde.