Land, Forest rights claims will be settled in December: CM Fadnavis gives written assurance to Adivasi Farmers

From a two-year-old toddler to an 80-year-old veteran, every farmer and Adivasi across Maharashtra on Thursday evening received a written assurance from the Maharashtra government that their demands will be fulfilled within three months.

After three days of marching and struggling in the financial capital, Lok Sangharsh Morcha (LSM) General Secretary Pratibha Patil called off the protest at Azad Maidan in the presence of Maharashtra Irrigation Minister Girish Mahajan. On the other hand, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promised the delegation led by Patil that their demands will be met within three months.

While addressing the gathering, Patil informed that CM Fadnavis patiently heard their demands and held a discussion with the concerned ministers and authorities. The state government assured in written that the pending claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) will be implemented.

Mahajan informed the crowd that the state government has agreed to fulfill the whole of their demands. Earlier on Thursday evening, Retired High Court Judge BG Kolse Patil informed that a judicial system will ensure the implementation of farmers’ demands.

The irrigation minister further elaborated on the same saying that the state government will set up a judicial system ensuring the implementation of complete loan waiver along with the land right claims suggested under Swaminath report including the drought compensation of ₹50,000 and ₹1,00,000 for non-irrigated and irrigated land, respectively.

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Chief Minister Fadnavis informed the delegation that their land issues and claims will be settled till December this year. Maharashtra Tribal Minister Vishnu Savra informed that the state government has received 3.5 lakh land claims, of which 1.7 lakh have been settled benefiting the Adivasis. Talking about the forest claims of the community, Savra said that of 12,000 claims, 7,700 have been settled.

While ending the protest, the Lok Sangharsh Morcha General Secretary said that they grant Maharashtra government three months to review and resolve their issues. Patil warned of another agitation if their demands are not met within the given time frame.