Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, revealed that the decision on the state’s farmer loan waiver is in its final stages but awaits an official announcement due to Election Commission directives. The announcement is postponed until after the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections on June 18 and the subsequent counting on June 22.
CM Fadnavis, along with ministers Girish Mahajan and Shivendraraje Bhosale, confirmed that the proposal for the farmer loan waiver has been presented to the state Cabinet. Despite receiving approval from the Election Commission, a formal public declaration is prohibited at this point.
Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne’s recent statement hinted at a decision on the loan waiver within 10 days, which the Chief Minister affirmed during the state Cabinet meeting today. The delay in the announcement has been attributed to legal restrictions imposed by the Election Commission.
Various farmer unions and leaders in Maharashtra have been advocating for a comprehensive loan waiver due to the distress faced by farmers, leading to a rise in suicides. The Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Debt Waiver Scheme aims to provide relief by waiving loans up to Rs 200,000 for several lakh farmers in the state.
