Maharashtra government makes provision of Rs 20,000 crore for historic loan waiver

Fadnavis said the state government has left no stone unturned to ensure that maximum farmers benefit out of the crop loan waiver.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. | PTI File Photo
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. | PTI File Photo

MUMBAI: Amid the din created by opposition parties protesting against the crop loan waiver scheme, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday told the legislative assembly that the state government has made a provision of Rs 20,000 crore in supplementary demands in favour of loan waivers. 

“The government is prepared for debate over the issue of crop loan waiver. The state government has left no stone unturned to ensure that maximum farmers benefit out of the crop loan waiver,” Fadnavis said as he appealed the opposition to participate in the debate over the issue.

As soon as the business of the house began in the morning, the opposition members started raising slogans for debate on the issue of crop loan waiver. 

Former deputy chief minister and NCP’s leader of the house Ajit Pawar, said, “The farmers have not received any benefit out of the loan waiver scheme. They had not even received the Rs 10,000 that the government had promised. The government should provide us with the list of beneficiaries immediately.” 

“Farmers are committing suicides every day as there is no clarity on loan waiver even after a month. The issue needs to be discussed immediately,” he said.

Leader of opposition in legislative assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, objected to the procedure of online submission of applications by the farmers to be able to benefit out of the loan waiver. “There are several problems in the loan waiver scheme. What is the need to make all the farmers fill up the application forms?” he said.

The ruling side also placed five ordinances, three government bills and supplementary demands on the table of the house before the opposition staged a walkout.

Similar scenes were reported from the legislative council.

Leader of opposition in legislative council Dhananjay Munde, said, “The government have not been able to implement waiver even after a month of announcement made. State should announce unconditional loan waiver.” 

He also pointed out that in the last two and half year, over 11,000 farmers has committed suicide, which forced BJP government to declare loan waiver. 

“Unfortunately, farmer suicide have not stopped even after the loan waiver announcement so it should be unconditional,” Munde argued.

However, leader of the house and revenue minister Chandrakant Patil said, “We have issued updated government resolutions (GR) by adding with new acceptable suggestions received. We are open for accepting positive and practical suggestion,” added Patil.

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