Farmers, tribals marching to Mumbai with list of demands enter Thane; ministers to hold talks
Mumbai, Mar 15: Thousands of farmers and tribals marching towards Mumbai from Nashik district in North Maharashtra in support of their demands entered Thane district on Wednesday while the state government deputed two ministers to hold talks with them.
As the 'long march' entered Thane district, the political turf of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on the outskirts of Mumbai city, the government rushed ministers Dada Bhuse and Atul Save to hold talks with the agitating farmers.
The protesters, holding red flags, started their foot march from Dindori town in Nashik district, around 200km from Mumbai, on Sunday in support of their various demands, including an immediate financial relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers, uninterrupted electricity supply for 12 hours and a waiver of agriculture loans.
The march, organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), crossed Kasara town in Thane district located adjoining Mumbai, said CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole.
Many walking barefoot in temperatures hovering near 40 degree Celsius, the protesters are likely to reach Mumbai on March 20, Nikole said.
The Shahpur police in Thane district said the members of the morcha will take a halt at Kalamb village before proceeding for Mumbai on Thursday.
State ministers Bhuse and Save said discussions will be held with a delegation of agitating farmers to find a solution to their demands.
"If they do not agree (to any solution), then they will be called to Mumbai to hold discussions with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday," they said.
The Maharashtra government on Monday announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 300 per quintal to onion farmers severely affected by a steep fall in prices of the commodity.
Prices of the kitchen staple have crashed in Maharashtra, resulting in farmers getting very little for their produce. Nashik district is a major hub of onion cultivation in the country.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
