Maharashtra Govt looking to bail out distressed farmers; might offer loan waiver

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule indicated that loans of farmers who are financially stable won’t be waived off. File pic

The Maharashtra government might provide relief to farmers in the form of loan waivers, but not to all. The relief will be extended to farmers who are in severe debt and struggling with the crisis.

On Friday, while addressing a gathering in rural Maharashtra, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule revealed that the government is contemplating bailing out distressed farmers. "The government is making efforts to soon conduct surveys of farmers in distress," Bawankule said.

The revenue minister further cited a recent statement of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Legislative Assembly, wherein the latter is said to have mentioned that a loan waiver should be available for the farmers who are really in distress.

Further, Bawankule said, "Farmers who are really in debt and struggling will get loan relief. Why waive loans for those farmers who are building bungalows and farmhouses?" Bawankule said.

Last year, during the state Assembly poll campaign, the Mahayuti government (BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-headed NCP) had promised a loan waiver scheme for farmers.

However, six months after the formation of the government, it is yet to implement the promise.

The Opposition parties have asked the Mahayuti government to live up to its loan waiver promise. But, there have been reports of a difference of opinion within the ruling regime regarding the loan waiver.