At the end of the march inDelhi, India’s Rural Development Minister addressed the crowd saying that ‘no-one could ignore the achievements of Janadesh and that all demands would be met’.

In the light of the fact that little has been achieved on land rights in 60 years since India’s independence, the government has reacted quickly:    

·         The National Land Reforms Council (chaired by the Prime Minister) and Committee on Land Reforms (chaired by the Rural Development Minister) have been established with civil society representation.                               ·         The Forests Rights Act has come into force giving traditional forest dwelling adivasi communities more control over forests and clearer land and homestead rights.                                                                                                     ·         Amendments are being made to the Land Acquisition Act to include social impact assessments and consideration of the traditional rights of forest dwelling communities                                                                              ·         A new Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act is being drafted to include social impact assessments and better rehabilitation packages.                        ·         State governments have responded, especially in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where Ekta is strongest.

Ekta is  working to ensure that the needs of the rural poor are recognised and has continued to train and recruit activists.  Changes in the law will have no effect if those they are intended to help do not know about them or how to take advantage of them.  

Above all Ekta knows that it must keep up the pressure during a process that will take years. A general election early next year means that currently there is aperiod to be exploited when politicians want to affirm their pro-poor credentials.