Mumbai/Nagpur: In an embarrassment to the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena combine in Maharashtra, the central government has written to the state asking it to desist from compelling banks to extend farm credit, official sources here said on Wednesday.

The letter, dated July 8, has been sent by union Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia to state chief secretary S. Kshatriya - barely a couple of days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warned that bank managers who do not extend farm credit would be prosecuted.