The Maharashtra government has decided to extend its loan waiver scheme to four lakh more farmers in the State. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting today. The quantum of funds required for this waiver was not disclosed.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told media persons that farmers who had taken loans from 2001-2009 but could not be included in 2008-09 loan waiver, which was announced by the Centre, would be the beneficiaries. This additional loan waiver would be under the existing waiver scheme, he said.

Fadnavis also said that farmers who had taken term loans from 2001-2106 for Emu bird farming, shed nets and poly houses up to ₹1.50 lakh will also get relief.

The loan waiver scheme, which was announced in June 2017, is called Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana and it is applicable for loans, which were raised by farmers from April 1, 2009 to June 30, 2016.

A press statement issued by the Chief Minister’s office said that while implementing today’s decision, farmers and banks will have to declare that they are not beneficiaries under 2008 to 2009 loan waiver scheme of the Centre.

Farmers’ agitation

In 2017, after repeated crops failures, insect attacks and low prices of agriculture produce, framers across Maharashtra launched a state’-wide agitation in early June by stopping supplying of fruits, vegetables and milk to the cities. The Fadnavis government announced a ₹34,000 crore loan bailout package on June 24. The scheme named after Maratha warrior king Shivaji Maharaj was to benefit 89 lakh farmers.

Reacting to the development NCP Maharashtra unit president, Sunil Tatkare, said that the new loan waiver too was not reliable. He further alleged that the government was not providing an accurate picture and statistics of the loan waiver scheme.

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