The CPI(M) has launched a long march of thousands of farmers from Nashik to Mumbai to protest non-implementation of assurances given after the 2018 Long Kisan March and against policies it says favor corporate interests.
Dr Ashok Dhawale, CPI(M) Political Bureau member and national president of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), speaks to the indian express on the reasons for the march and the party’s decentralized agitations across Maharashtra.
Q: What is the reason for undertaking this farmers’ march from Nashik to Bombay?
Ashok Dhawale: It has been eight years since the iconic Long Kisan March, when thousands of farmers marched to Mumbai and were made a host of promises. In retrospect, a large part of those guarantees remain unfulfilled. For the past eight years there have been no actual executions on the ground. The Chief Minister himself has been in power, but the basic commitments made to farmers and tribal communities have not been fulfilled.
There has been no redress of outstanding claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Title deeds should be issued in the names of those actually cultivating forest land, but this has not happened in many parts of the state.
We had also demanded that water from west-flowing rivers be diverted to drought-prone regions like Nashik. A promise to this effect was made in 2018 when we were asked to withdraw the march, but it has also not been implemented.
Q: Are these your main demands?
Ashok Dhawale: Non-implementation of earlier promises is a major problem. But in recent years, several new policies have been introduced that will severely affect the lives of ordinary citizens. In the name of development, the privatization of electricity, the introduction of smart meters and the aggressive acquisition of land are promoted.
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In reality, these measures are intended to serve the business lobby. Corporate interests are expanding at the expense of ordinary people and their lands and livelihoods.
Q: How has MNREGA been affected?
Ashok Dhawale: MNREGA (now replaced by VB-G RAM G) has been effectively weakened. The Center has reduced its expenditure ratio from 80 per cent to 60 per cent. How can state governments bear 40 per cent of the cost? This is completely unrealistic.
In practice, people receive only about 42 days of work instead of the guaranteed 100 days. Thousands of manual workers have not received their salaries. Under the new funding pattern, most states, which are already in financial distress, will find it difficult to implement the plan.
Q: What about acquiring land for infrastructure projects?
Ashok Dhawale: Land is being acquired for roads and Wadhwan port without properly implementing the provisions of the LARR Act, 2013. In many cases no compensation is paid. Projects like Shaktipeeth Expressway are unnecessary, but farmers are being taken away from fertile agricultural land. In several cases, contractors are favored over affected families.
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Question: CPI(M) organized a march in Palghar, followed by another in Nashik. Why did you choose decentralized protests instead of a single statewide march?
Ashok Dhawale: It is not feasible for Palghar farmers to participate in a protest in Nashik and vice versa. Decentralized marches allow for local participation and broader participation. That is the approach we will follow in the coming period.
