<p>Thousands of farmers led by former Maharashtra Minister Bachchu Kadu who are protesting for farm loan waiver have finally vacated the Nagpur national highway and moved to nearby ground.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Minister says he will decide the future course of action after meeting the state’s chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at 7 pm in Mumbai today.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The development came after the Bombay High Court directed the protesters who had blocked the Nagpur National Highway to leave the site by 6 pm. The farmers protest which has entered its third day today is looking for a positive response from the CM.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In the last two days, the protest led to a complete chaos in Nagpur where on Wednesday, thousands of farmers and supporters blocked key routes, including Wardha Road and the Outer Ring Road near the Oxygen Park flyover. The agitation brought traffic to a standstill for nearly 20 kilometres, forcing the toll plaza nearby to suspend operations entirely.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Farmers who have been continuously suffering losses due to natural disasters like drought, flood, and excessive rainfall are demanding that a date be fixed for loan waiver.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The agitation, backed by the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Kisan Sabha, and Raju Shetty’s party, had brought traffic to a standstill, amplifying demands for a complete farm loan waiver, immediate compensation for unseasonal rain damage, Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, and a Rs 6,000 monthly allowance for the disabled.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"The important issue is the complete loan waiver of poor farmers. I am hopeful that a good decision will come out today," the former state minister said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government remains “positive” and has initiated the transfer of a Rs 32,000 crore relief package for affected farmers. He appealed to the protestors to avoid disrupting public life and to accept the government’s invitation for dialogue, emphasising that resolving the crisis requires discussion and cooperation.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to preliminary assessments, the unseasonal rains have impacted nearly 29 districts, devastating over 68 lakh hectares of crops</p>

Thousands of farmers led by ex-minister Bachchu Kadu vacated Nagpur Highway after court orders and will meet CM Fadnavis at 7 pm over farm loan waivers. Protesting losses from natural disasters, they seek full debt relief, MSP, and aid. Fadnavis promised a ₹32,000 cr relief package.

Thousands of farmers led by former Maharashtra Minister Bachchu Kadu who are protesting for farm loan waiver have finally vacated the Nagpur national highway and moved to nearby ground. The Minister says he will decide the future course of action after meeting the state’s chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at 7 pm in Mumbai today. The development came after the Bombay High Court directed the protesters who had blocked the Nagpur National Highway to leave the site by 6 pm. The farmers protest which has entered its third day today is looking for a positive response from the CM. In the last two days, the protest led to a complete chaos in Nagpur where on Wednesday, thousands of farmers and supporters blocked key routes, including Wardha Road and the Outer Ring Road near the Oxygen Park flyover. The agitation brought traffic to a standstill for nearly 20 kilometres, forcing the toll plaza nearby to suspend operations entirely. Farmers who have been continuously suffering losses due to natural disasters like drought, flood, and excessive rainfall are demanding that a date be fixed for loan waiver. The agitation, backed by the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Kisan Sabha, and Raju Shetty’s party, had brought traffic to a standstill, amplifying demands for a complete farm loan waiver, immediate compensation for unseasonal rain damage, Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, and a Rs 6,000 monthly allowance for the disabled. "The important issue is the complete loan waiver of poor farmers. I am hopeful that a good decision will come out today," the former state minister said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government remains “positive” and has initiated the transfer of a Rs 32,000 crore relief package for affected farmers. He appealed to the protestors to avoid disrupting public life and to accept the government’s invitation for dialogue, emphasising that resolving the crisis requires discussion and cooperation. According to preliminary assessments, the unseasonal rains have impacted nearly 29 districts, devastating over 68 lakh hectares of crops

<p>Thousands of farmers led by ex-minister Bachchu Kadu vacated Nagpur Highway after court orders and will meet CM Fadnavis at 7 pm over farm loan waivers. Protesting losses from natural disasters, they seek full debt relief, MSP, and aid. Fadnavis promised a ₹32,000 cr relief package.</p>

Maharashtra: Protesting farmers to meet CM at 7 pm today

<p>Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that his government has accepted most of the demands of the farmers protesting in Mumbai.</p>

<p>He also added that they have given a written letter to the farmers.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We have accepted most of their demands and have given them a written letter: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Maharashtra Farmers&#39; agitation <a href="https://t.co/PWeXxtCq4K">pic.twitter.com/PWeXxtCq4K</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973171824677801985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The farmers meanwhile called&nbsp;off their protest after the government assented to their demands.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan had said&nbsp;that the farmers seemed satisfied after meeting with the ministers.</p>

<p>He also added that out of the 12-13 demands, their government had accepted some.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We&#39;ve had a positive meeting with farmers in which all their demands were discussed. They had around 12-13 demands out of which we&#39;ve accepted some &amp; will be giving them a written draft of it. I think they&#39;re satisfied with our decisions: Girish Mahajan, Maharashtra Minister <a href="https://t.co/GPOksRFtuk">pic.twitter.com/GPOksRFtuk</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973157660399988736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are very happy. Our demands have been met. We will be getting back our land which is like mother to us: Suresh Jairam, Nashik Farmer who was participating in farmers&#39; protest. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> <a href="https://t.co/8mdCnCo8Fy">pic.twitter.com/8mdCnCo8Fy</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973196565832716288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Govt has accepted our demands, we are happy. Leaders of every party and people of Mumbai supported us. Our strength combined with theirs hence this result: Sanjay Sukhdev, Nashik farmer who was participating in farmers&#39; protest. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> <a href="https://t.co/lI3OEb7b63">pic.twitter.com/lI3OEb7b63</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973200425016090625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;Another Minister from the state had said that CM Fadnavis had agreed to the farmers&#39; demands asking for a transfer of the land that they cultivate to their&nbsp;name. He said that the chief minister will follow up on this and an implementation will start within six months.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Farmers ki shikayat hai ki jo humari zameen hai us se kum unke naam par hai, toh jitni bhi zameen woh cultivate kar rahe hain woh unke naam par honi chahiye. CM has agreed. Chief Secretary will follow-up on this &amp; implementation will start in 6 months: V Savra, Maha Min <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> <a href="https://t.co/qvAc9qRk16">pic.twitter.com/qvAc9qRk16</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973166671295741954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Activist Anna Hazare has said that only&nbsp;promises will not work and the government will have to work towards fulfilling the demands of the farmers.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Only promising to fulfill the demands won&#39;t work, it&#39;s now the duty of the govt to work towards fulfilling what they&#39;ve committed. They should think about the welfare of farmers so that they don&#39;t have to take it to the road next time: Anna Hazare on farmers agitation <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> <a href="https://t.co/uFlfdC6Ihe">pic.twitter.com/uFlfdC6Ihe</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973167338773209088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan had said earlier in the day that out of the 12-13 demands of the farmers, they had accepted some. He also said that the farmers seemed satisfied with them

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that his government has accepted most of the demands of the farmers protesting in Mumbai. He also added that they have given a written letter to the farmers. We have accepted most of their demands and have given them a written letter: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Maharashtra Farmers' agitation pic.twitter.com/PWeXxtCq4K — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × The farmers meanwhile called off their protest after the government assented to their demands. Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan had said that the farmers seemed satisfied after meeting with the ministers. He also added that out of the 12-13 demands, their government had accepted some. We've had a positive meeting with farmers in which all their demands were discussed. They had around 12-13 demands out of which we've accepted some & will be giving them a written draft of it. I think they're satisfied with our decisions: Girish Mahajan, Maharashtra Minister pic.twitter.com/GPOksRFtuk — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × We are very happy. Our demands have been met. We will be getting back our land which is like mother to us: Suresh Jairam, Nashik Farmer who was participating in farmers' protest. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/8mdCnCo8Fy — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × Govt has accepted our demands, we are happy. Leaders of every party and people of Mumbai supported us. Our strength combined with theirs hence this result: Sanjay Sukhdev, Nashik farmer who was participating in farmers' protest. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/lI3OEb7b63 — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × Another Minister from the state had said that CM Fadnavis had agreed to the farmers' demands asking for a transfer of the land that they cultivate to their name. He said that the chief minister will follow up on this and an implementation will start within six months. Farmers ki shikayat hai ki jo humari zameen hai us se kum unke naam par hai, toh jitni bhi zameen woh cultivate kar rahe hain woh unke naam par honi chahiye. CM has agreed. Chief Secretary will follow-up on this & implementation will start in 6 months: V Savra, Maha Min #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/qvAc9qRk16 — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × Activist Anna Hazare has said that only promises will not work and the government will have to work towards fulfilling the demands of the farmers. Only promising to fulfill the demands won't work, it's now the duty of the govt to work towards fulfilling what they've committed. They should think about the welfare of farmers so that they don't have to take it to the road next time: Anna Hazare on farmers agitation #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/uFlfdC6Ihe — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 ×

Maharashtra farmers call off protest after Fadnavis says govt has accepted most demands

<p>The Farmers who were protesting against the Maharashtra&nbsp;government demanding a complete loan waiver were returning to their native villages after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-has-accepted-most-demands-of-farmers-cm-devendra-fadnavis-35538" target="_blank">government assented to their demands</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, 300 farmers were undergoing treatment in JJ Hospital over complaints of fever, stomach-related ailment, and leg injuries.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mumbai: Farmers returning to their native villages after Maharashtra government accepted their demands <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaharashtraFarmersProtest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MaharashtraFarmersProtest</a> <a href="https://t.co/9DX9FwUhRN">pic.twitter.com/9DX9FwUhRN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973232415635394560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mumbai: Treatment of 300 farmers from Nashik underway at JJ Hospital following complaints of fever, stomach related ailment and leg injuries. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaharashtraFarmersProtest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MaharashtraFarmersProtest</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973243501390520320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that his government has accepted most of the demands of the farmers protesting in Mumbai. He also added that they have given a written letter to the farmers.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan had said&nbsp;that the farmers seemed satisfied after meeting with the ministers.</p>

<p>Over&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/50000-protesting-farmers-to-march-on-mumabi-vidhan-sabha-six-member-committee-to-look-into-demands-35420" target="_blank">50,000 farmers had marched to Mumbai</a>&nbsp;on Sunday to protest at the legislative assembly demanding a complete loan waiver amongst&nbsp;other things, in Maharashtra.</p>

<p>Their other demands included higher&nbsp;prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations.&nbsp;Longtime cultivators of Adivasi&nbsp;land also demanding transfer of the land to their names.&nbsp;</p>


Meanwhile, 300 farmers were undergoing treatment in JJ Hospital over complaints of fever, stomach-related ailment, and leg injuries

The Farmers who were protesting against the Maharashtra government demanding a complete loan waiver were returning to their native villages after the government assented to their demands. Meanwhile, 300 farmers were undergoing treatment in JJ Hospital over complaints of fever, stomach-related ailment, and leg injuries. Mumbai: Farmers returning to their native villages after Maharashtra government accepted their demands #MaharashtraFarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/9DX9FwUhRN — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × Mumbai: Treatment of 300 farmers from Nashik underway at JJ Hospital following complaints of fever, stomach related ailment and leg injuries. #MaharashtraFarmersProtest — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that his government has accepted most of the demands of the farmers protesting in Mumbai. He also added that they have given a written letter to the farmers. Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan had said that the farmers seemed satisfied after meeting with the ministers. Over 50,000 farmers had marched to Mumbai on Sunday to protest at the legislative assembly demanding a complete loan waiver amongst other things, in Maharashtra. Their other demands included higher prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations. Longtime cultivators of Adivasi land also demanding transfer of the land to their names.

Maharashtra farmers return to village after govt's assent to demand

<p>BJP MP Poonam Mahajan on Monday said farmers and tribals<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-has-accepted-most-demands-of-farmers-cm-devendra-fadnavis-35538"> protesting in Maharashtra </a>were being misguided by &quot;urban Maoists&quot;.</p>

<p>The MP from Mumbai North Central said it was the responsibility of the BJP-led Maharashtra government to sit with the protesters, who were being &quot;captured&quot; by Maoists, to solve their problems.</p>

<p>&quot;Sadly, tribals have been captured by the Maoists and their centre is in Pune. The government can do a lot for them, but the (Maoists&#39;) ideology is stopping them. We have seen urban Maoists in many cities of India. They go to districts which are called Maoists affected areas,&quot; Mahajan told reporters outside Parliament.</p>

<p>&quot;Maoists are misguiding them (the farmers). It is the responsibility of the Maharashtra government to sit with the farmers and sort out the problem,&quot; she said as Mumbai&#39;s Azad Maidan turned into a sea of red this morning with thousands of farmers carrying red flags converging after walking around 180 km from neighbouring Nashik district for six days.</p>

<p>The farmers, who banded together under the Left-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), reached Mumbai yesterday afternoon.</p>

<p>Hitting out at Mahajan, CPI(M) leader MB Rajesh said, &quot;The Kisan Sabha is leading the rally. One can see the posters, banners and flags. I am scared the BJP may also call them anti-nationals.&quot;</p>

<p>The main demand on the farmers&#39; list includes an unconditional loan waiver and transfer of forest land to tribal farmers who have been tilling it for years.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The MP from Mumbai North Central said it was the responsibility of the BJP-led Maharashtra government to sit with the protesters, who were being 'captured' by Maoists, to solve their problems

BJP MP Poonam Mahajan on Monday said farmers and tribals protesting in Maharashtra were being misguided by "urban Maoists". The MP from Mumbai North Central said it was the responsibility of the BJP-led Maharashtra government to sit with the protesters, who were being "captured" by Maoists, to solve their problems. "Sadly, tribals have been captured by the Maoists and their centre is in Pune. The government can do a lot for them, but the (Maoists') ideology is stopping them. We have seen urban Maoists in many cities of India. They go to districts which are called Maoists affected areas," Mahajan told reporters outside Parliament. "Maoists are misguiding them (the farmers). It is the responsibility of the Maharashtra government to sit with the farmers and sort out the problem," she said as Mumbai's Azad Maidan turned into a sea of red this morning with thousands of farmers carrying red flags converging after walking around 180 km from neighbouring Nashik district for six days. The farmers, who banded together under the Left-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), reached Mumbai yesterday afternoon. Hitting out at Mahajan, CPI(M) leader MB Rajesh said, "The Kisan Sabha is leading the rally. One can see the posters, banners and flags. I am scared the BJP may also call them anti-nationals." The main demand on the farmers' list includes an unconditional loan waiver and transfer of forest land to tribal farmers who have been tilling it for years.

Urban Maoists misguiding protesting farmers: Poonam Mahajan

<p>Some&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-30000-farmers-marching-from-nashik-demanding-farm-loan-waiver-to-reach-mumbai-today-35356" target="_blank">35,000 farmers reached Mumbai on Sunday </a>demanding, among other things, a complete loan waiver and leaving the city on edge.</p>

<p>The farmers, who are also demanding higher&nbsp;prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations, plan to&nbsp;gherao the Vidhan Sabha on Monday.</p>

<p>The farmers had marched to Mumbai from Nashik, with the 180-km-long march being led by All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Davle, local MLA JP Gavit and other leaders.</p>

<p>Though the All India Kisan Sabha party has communist associations, Davle said that the protest should not be branded as &quot;communist&quot;. The protests, Davle said, was for a common cause and not restricted to the Left alone.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Over 30,000 farmers of All India Kisan Sabha march in protest demanding a complete loan waiver among other demands. The march started from Nashik and reached Mumbai today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://t.co/dKinWWnmhf">pic.twitter.com/dKinWWnmhf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/972804324085714944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Swaminathan Committee report says farmers should be reimbursed one-and-a-half times the cost of their produce and also fix the Minimum Support Price.</p>

<p>Longtime cultivators of Adivasi&nbsp;land also demanded transfer of the land to their names.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The protesters have been on the road for the last five days.&nbsp;They camped this morning at the Thane-Mumbai border.</p>

<p>The farmers have said their protest will not affect the residents of Mumbai but the city is on edge.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Traffic arrangements during the Long March tomorrow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrafficUpdate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrafficUpdate</a> <a href="https://t.co/GVYJGkVa79">pic.twitter.com/GVYJGkVa79</a></p>
&mdash; Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/MumbaiPolice/status/972495067968671744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Keeping in mind the Class X board exams, Davle said farmers will protest Monday at 11 am after students have got to their respective examination&nbsp;centres.</p>

<p>Mumbai Police meanwhile said they are fully prepared to handle the protesters and the potential traffic jams. They have however advised residents not to use the Eastern Express Highway.&nbsp;</p>


The farmers plan to gherao the Vidhan Sabha Monday

Some 35,000 farmers reached Mumbai on Sunday demanding, among other things, a complete loan waiver and leaving the city on edge. The farmers, who are also demanding higher prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations, plan to gherao the Vidhan Sabha on Monday. The farmers had marched to Mumbai from Nashik, with the 180-km-long march being led by All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Davle, local MLA JP Gavit and other leaders. Though the All India Kisan Sabha party has communist associations, Davle said that the protest should not be branded as "communist". The protests, Davle said, was for a common cause and not restricted to the Left alone. #WATCH: Over 30,000 farmers of All India Kisan Sabha march in protest demanding a complete loan waiver among other demands. The march started from Nashik and reached Mumbai today. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/dKinWWnmhf — ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2018 × The Swaminathan Committee report says farmers should be reimbursed one-and-a-half times the cost of their produce and also fix the Minimum Support Price. Longtime cultivators of Adivasi land also demanded transfer of the land to their names. The protesters have been on the road for the last five days. They camped this morning at the Thane-Mumbai border. The farmers have said their protest will not affect the residents of Mumbai but the city is on edge. Traffic arrangements during the Long March tomorrow #TrafficUpdate pic.twitter.com/GVYJGkVa79 — Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) March 10, 2018 × Keeping in mind the Class X board exams, Davle said farmers will protest Monday at 11 am after students have got to their respective examination centres. Mumbai Police meanwhile said they are fully prepared to handle the protesters and the potential traffic jams. They have however advised residents not to use the Eastern Express Highway.

35,000 farmers reach Mumbai demanding loan waiver

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<p>Taking a swipe at US President Donald Trump for backing out of Paris climate agreement, French President Emmanuel Macron lauded the efforts of India, along with other nations, for making International Solar Alliance (ISA) a reality.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/35000-farmers-reach-mumbai-to-stage-protest-against-maharashtra-govt-35389" target="_blank">35,000 farmers reach Mumbai demanding loan waiver</a></p>

<p>Over&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-30000-farmers-marching-from-nashik-demanding-farm-loan-waiver-to-reach-mumbai-today-35356" target="_blank">35,000 farmers have reached Mumbai on Sunday&nbsp;</a>to stage protest against the Maharashtra government demanding a complete loan waiver.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/vandals-attack-muslim-owned-restaurant-in-sri-lanka-35395" target="_blank">Vandals attack Muslim-owned restaurant in Sri Lanka</a></p>

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<p>Gorakhpur Lok Sabha constituency witnessed a polling percentage of around 43 per cent while Phulpur saw a turnout of around 38 per cent till 5 pm today, Election Commission sources said.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-parliament-abolishes-presidential-term-limits-35382" target="_blank">China&#39;s parliament abolishes presidential term limit, Xi Jinping could stay in power for life</a></p>

<p>China&#39;s Xi Jinping on Sunday secured a path to rule indefinitely as parliament abolished presidential term limits, handing him almost total authority to pursue a vision of transforming the nation into an economic and military superpower.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


French President Macron takes dig at Trump, hails India's efforts at making International Solar Alliance a reality Taking a swipe at US President Donald Trump for backing out of Paris climate agreement, French President Emmanuel Macron lauded the efforts of India, along with other nations, for making International Solar Alliance (ISA) a reality. 35,000 farmers reach Mumbai demanding loan waiver Over 35,000 farmers have reached Mumbai on Sunday to stage protest against the Maharashtra government demanding a complete loan waiver. Vandals attack Muslim-owned restaurant in Sri Lanka In an alleged case of "hate crime", police said vandals attacked a Muslim-owned restaurant in Sri Lanka on Sunday. Uttar Pradesh Bypolls: Gorakhpur voter turnout reaches 43%, Phulpur 38% by 5 pm Gorakhpur Lok Sabha constituency witnessed a polling percentage of around 43 per cent while Phulpur saw a turnout of around 38 per cent till 5 pm today, Election Commission sources said. China's parliament abolishes presidential term limit, Xi Jinping could stay in power for life China's Xi Jinping on Sunday secured a path to rule indefinitely as parliament abolished presidential term limits, handing him almost total authority to pursue a vision of transforming the nation into an economic and military superpower.

WION Evening News brief, March 11, 2018

<p>As Indian farmers&#39; in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra continue to protest, the Indian government has reponded.</p>

<p>The minimum purchase price for cotton, rice and other crops has been raised more than at any time under Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s tenure, Reuters reports.</p>

<p>For common grade paddy rice, local farmers will now receive 5.4 per cent more, or 1,550 rupees ($24.03) per 100 kilograms for the year effective July 1. Long staple cotton prices have been raised by 3.8 per cent, to 4,320 per 100 kilograms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Protesting farmers seek higher prices and also debt relief. Farmers have <a href="http://www.livemint.com/Politics/TmBbGSrKXJs30nqzoqb6pN/Three-protesting-farmers-shot-dead-in-Madhya-Pradesh-say-re.html" target="_blank">demonstrated </a>their frustration by dumping vegetables and milk on the roads.</p>

<p>Five <a href="http://www.livemint.com/Politics/TmBbGSrKXJs30nqzoqb6pN/Three-protesting-farmers-shot-dead-in-Madhya-Pradesh-say-re.html" target="_blank">unarmed </a>farmers at the protests were fatally shot by police in Madhya Pradesh, which, like Maharashtra, is under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) control. At the time Bhupendra Singh, a Madhya Pradesh state minister, denied that the police shot at the farmers, saying &quot;Anti-social elements in the crowd fired bullets&quot;.</p>

<p>The unrest poses a political challenge to local BJP leaders, who made the promise to double farmers&#39; incomes over the next five years. The state government ordered a probe of the shooting.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Global exporter</strong></p>

<p>No country on Earth exports more rice than India, which purchases the grains from local farmers so that they can earn a living even when sales are down. This practice also helps the government build stocks for welfare programs.</p>

<p>The Indian government sets the minimum price for more than two dozen farm communities, though it mainly buys rice and wheat. The price of other crops like onions, tomatoes and potatoes have fallen steeply, causing&nbsp;growers to&nbsp;protest. Also, the government has stopped purchasing these crops from farmers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(With inputs from Reuters)</p>


The farmers' unrest poses a political challenge to local BJP leaders in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh

As Indian farmers' in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra continue to protest, the Indian government has reponded. The minimum purchase price for cotton, rice and other crops has been raised more than at any time under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure, Reuters reports. For common grade paddy rice, local farmers will now receive 5.4 per cent more, or 1,550 rupees ($24.03) per 100 kilograms for the year effective July 1. Long staple cotton prices have been raised by 3.8 per cent, to 4,320 per 100 kilograms. Protesting farmers seek higher prices and also debt relief. Farmers have demonstrated their frustration by dumping vegetables and milk on the roads. Five unarmed farmers at the protests were fatally shot by police in Madhya Pradesh, which, like Maharashtra, is under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) control. At the time Bhupendra Singh, a Madhya Pradesh state minister, denied that the police shot at the farmers, saying "Anti-social elements in the crowd fired bullets". The unrest poses a political challenge to local BJP leaders, who made the promise to double farmers' incomes over the next five years. The state government ordered a probe of the shooting. Global exporter No country on Earth exports more rice than India, which purchases the grains from local farmers so that they can earn a living even when sales are down. This practice also helps the government build stocks for welfare programs. The Indian government sets the minimum price for more than two dozen farm communities, though it mainly buys rice and wheat. The price of other crops like onions, tomatoes and potatoes have fallen steeply, causing growers to protest. Also, the government has stopped purchasing these crops from farmers. (With inputs from Reuters)

As farmer protests mount, government raises rice, cotton buying prices