<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/bachchu-kadu-to-meet-maharashtra-cm-devendra-fadnavis-on-farmers-issues-says-hopeful-of-good-decision-23600904" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Maharashtra </a>Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday said the state government will definitely implement a farm loan waiver scheme but only after ensuring that it benefits genuine and eligible farmers, reported news agency PTI.
The government does not want to announce a loan waiver scheme in a hasty manner, he said.
Earlier this month, the state government announced a compensation package of Rs 31,628 crore for farmers who suffered massive losses due to rains and floods during this year's monsoon. As per the data, as many as 29 of the total 36 districts and 253 (out of 358) talukas suffered due to heavy rains.
The opposition parties have been demanding a complete loan waiver for the affected farmers.
Talking to a Marathi news channel in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-floods-state-govt-to-disburse-rs-11000-crore-to-flood-hit-farmers-in-15-days-23600655" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Nagpur</a>, Bawankule said, "The government is committed to introducing a crop loan waiver, but it will be designed in such a way that only real farmers who have taken loans for agricultural purposes will benefit. Those who have built farmhouses or large houses on their agricultural land and shown such loans as farm-related will not be eligible," reported PTI.
The government's objective is to bring in a fair and transparent scheme that supports only the cultivators who are facing distress, he said.
"There are several farmers who are sincerely engaged in agricultural activities, but have suffered losses due to external factors. We want to help and support such farmers," he said, adding that a committee has already been formed to study and identify the deserving beneficiaries, reported PTI.
Responding to the ongoing protests by<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-rains-no-end-to-farmers-misery-as-fresh-showers-damage-rabi-crops-harvested-soybean-in-latur-23600819" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"> former minister</a> Bachchu Kadu, former MP Raju Shetti and others demanding immediate loan waiver, Bawankule said, "We invited them for meetings three times, but they refused to attend, saying there was no need for discussions. The government does not wish to announce a scheme hastily that ends up benefiting non-eligible persons," reported PTI.
Bawankule added that even if the waiver is implemented a little later, the government will bear the interest on crop loans during the interim period.
"Whenever the loan waiver is introduced, the payment will go directly to the banks and not into farmers' hands. The debt burden on farmers' accounts will be cleared, but no cash will be given," he clarified, reported PTI.
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-govts-flood-relief-package-deceptive-state-should-provide-rs-50000-per-hectare-to-affected-farmers-harshwardhan-sapkal-23600637" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">The minister</a> further said that all banks have been instructed not to recover loans forcibly from farmers and also not to adjust government subsidies against outstanding loans.
"If any bank uses subsidy funds to settle loans, strict action will be taken," he warned, reported PTI.
Reaffirming the government's intent, Bawankule said, "We will certainly implement the crop loan waiver as promised in our party manifesto. But right now, farmers also need immediate support in terms of cash flow and better access roads to their fields," reported PTI.
He added that Chief Minister <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-rains-state-announces-relief-package-of-rs-31628-crore-cm-devendra-says-compensation-to-be-disbursed-before-diwali-23597599" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Devendra Fadnavis</a> will chair a meeting later on Thursday, to be attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with senior ministers and officials, to discuss farmers' demands.
"There are 36 districts in Maharashtra, and identifying genuine farmers among registered ones is a massive task. We need time to ensure the right people benefit, while also looking into fertiliser supply and cash availability for the upcoming rabi season," Bawankule said, reported PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday said the state government will definitely implement a farm loan waiver scheme

Chandrashekhar Bawankule says farm loan waiver only for genuine, eligible farmers

Maharashtra Opposition unite against ‘faulty’ voter lists; demand correction before civic elections

Earlier this month, the state government announced a compensation package of Rs 31,628 crore for farmers who suffered massive losses due to rains and floods during this year's monsoon

Bawankule says farm loan waiver only for genuine, eligible farmers

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Article / Bawankule says farm loan waiver only for genuine, eligible farmers