AIKS calls off farmers’ march at Shahapur after talks with CM Fadnavis; government assures action on key demands

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Tuesday (October 27, 2026) called off its vehicle march from Akole to Mumbai at Shahapur following a nearly two-hour meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, during which the state government assured action on several demands concerning drought relief, farm loan waivers, land rights and workers’ welfare.

The meeting, held at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, senior ministers, government officials and an AIKS delegation. According to the organisation, the government also agreed to hold a follow-up meeting on November 4 to review the implementation of the assurances.

The march, which began from Akole in Ahilyanagar district on Monday, involved over 12,000 farmers and agricultural workers travelling in more than 1,000 vehicles from over 20 districts, according to AIKS. The protesters descended through Kasara Ghat on Tuesday before halting at Shahapur, where the organisation decided to conclude the march following the discussions.

Mr. Fadnavis said the government was committed to providing all possible assistance to farmers affected by the prevailing drought conditions. He said farmers would receive ₹5,000 as advance assistance and maintained that the government’s overall relief measures would extend beyond the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms. The Chief Minister said that providing the ₹5,000 advance would require an estimated ₹7,000 crore to ₹8,000 crore. The government would also prioritise drinking water tankers and fodder supplies in drought-affected areas.

AIKS national joint secretary Dr. Ajit Nawale welcomed the assurance but said the government had not specified the final compensation amount. According to Mr. Nawale, the Chief Minister indicated that the amount would be determined after assessing central assistance and the state’s budgetary position.

A major point of contention was AIKS’s demand to increase the incentive for farmers who regularly repay their loans from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh. Mr. Fadnavis said the ministerial committee constituted for farm loan waivers would examine the proposal and take a decision based on the state’s financial position.

Mr. Nawale said the delegation had strongly pressed the demand and refused to compromise on it. Although no final decision was reached, he said the government had assured further consideration. The Chief Minister also said the government would write to banks through the Reserve Bank of India to seek the removal of CIBIL-related conditions for fresh crop loans.

On land rights, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the government was collecting statewide information to facilitate the recording of cultivators’ names on land records concerning temple trust lands. A separate meeting would be held with AIKS representatives, who would also be included as special invitees in the committee drafting the proposed legislation.

Also read | Centre failed to fulfil promises made to farmers, says AIKS leader

The government also agreed to approach the Supreme Court again regarding the eligibility period for farmers cultivating grazing lands. AIKS said progress had also been made on forest land claims, Varkas lands and other pending land-related issues, although these matters remain subject to further government action.

On crop insurance, Mr. Fadnavis said the government would examine the possibility of reinstating previously applicable triggers through the concerned department. He also directed the restoration of government procurement of bal hirda through the Tribal Development Corporation and follow-up with the Centre to include the produce under minimum support price provisions.

The Chief Minister further assured the delegation that pending instalments under the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi scheme would be released. Nawale said these amounted to ₹4,000 per farmer.

Regarding the Ladki Bahin scheme, Mr. Fadnavis directed officials to immediately release pending payments to eligible women who had completed e-KYC. He said the government would also consider cases involving new beneficiaries and women in tribal areas who had been unable to complete the verification process.

Several workers’ welfare demands were also discussed. The government expressed a positive position on increasing the monthly honorarium of school nutrition workers by ₹1,000 from the existing ₹2,500. It also directed the Rural Development Department to examine direct bank transfers of honorariums to PESA mobilisers and village employment assistants.

Mr. Fadnavis said the government would consider restarting medical reimbursement benefits for construction workers and review their individual welfare schemes under the new labour laws. AIKS said demands concerning ASHA workers, Anganwadi employees, part-time female attendants and other rural workers had also received a positive response.

Explaining the decision to call off the march, Mr. Nawale said the organisation’s primary objective had been to secure a meeting with the Chief Minister, as several demands required decisions at his level. With Mr. Fadnavis having heard the delegation and offered assurances, he said there was no longer a need to proceed to the Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha.

However, Mr. Nawale maintained that the organisation would continue pressing for the implementation of the assurances and resolution of outstanding demands, particularly higher incentives for regular loan repayments.

According to AIKS, a follow-up meeting is scheduled for November 4 to review progress on the assurances and pending demands. While describing Tuesday’s discussions as positive, the organisation reiterated that its campaign would continue until the remaining issues were resolved.