Over 12,000 Maharashtra farmers march to Mumbai demanding drought relief and loan waivers

Around 12,000 farmers set out from Igatpuri toward Mumbai under the banner of the Leftist All India Kisan Sabha, demanding urgent relief for those hit by severe drought. Their demands include immediate disbursement of crop-insurance money, loan waivers that favour regular borrowers, and legal ownership for cultivators on forest terrain. They also urged uninterrupted funding under schemes such as the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana, which provides an extra ₹6,000 annually in three installments.

The Maharashtra Cabinet recently expanded the drought-hit list by 40 talukas, bringing the total to 305, and promised a ₹5,000 advance to each farmer before Diwali. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to meet the protesters, and the state has increased water-tanker deployments, introduced GPS tracking for them, and pledged fodder procurement at assured prices. An inter-ministerial team has assessed the damage, and the government has sought a ₹17,500 crore relief package from the centre, covering crop losses and fodder management.