Fadnavis Reaffirms June Deadline for Farm Loan Waiver
A senior official said the loan waiver proposal is expected to be tabled before the Cabinet for approval in the coming days. Around 51.24 lakh farmers are likely to benefit from the scheme.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday reiterated that his government would implement a farm loan waiver before June 30. Speaking after an event in Pune, Mr. Fadnavis said the Cabinet had discussed issues related to the loan waiver and that the implementation plan was in its final stage.
In October 2025, the State government constituted a committee headed by Praveen Pardeshi to formulate criteria for the loan waiver and recommend both short-term and long-term measures to address agrarian distress in Maharashtra. The committee was formed following protests led by Bachchu Kadu demanding a farm loan waiver.
The Pardeshi-led committee submitted its report to the State government around 21 days ago, and the report is currently being examined by the Cooperation Department.
A senior official said the loan waiver proposal is expected to be tabled before the Cabinet for approval in the coming days. Around 51.24 lakh farmers are likely to benefit from the scheme.
Responding to a query on the issue in Pune, the Chief Minister said the Cabinet sub-committee had already held a meeting on the farm loan waiver. “We have sought more information from some districts. Once it is received, we will start the process. Before June 30, we will complete the process,” he said.
During the Budget Session, Mr. Fadnavis, who also holds the Finance portfolio, announced the Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Loan Waiver Scheme for farmers. Under the scheme, crop loans of up to ₹2 lakh taken by eligible farmers will be waived.
Mr. Fadnavis, who attended the second edition of the International Agri Hackathon, said four products selected at the event would be converted into commercial ventures.
From next year, the programme will be renamed the ‘Maharashtra Agri Hackathon’, and the best project award will be named after the late Ajit Pawar, the Chief Minister said.
