Maharashtra CM Fadnavis hails "biggest loan waiver in state's history", says farmers benefiting from earlier scheme covered
Nagpur, July 12
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the state government has implemented the biggest farm loan waiver in the state's history, after increasing the cap of dues which can be waived off to Rs 2 lakh.
He said the government has extended the benefit of a complete loan waiver to farmers who had earlier availed relief under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Loan Waiver Scheme and later became defaulters again.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the proposed Agro Convention Centre in Nagpur on Saturday, the Chief Minister said, "In none of the earlier loan waiver schemes were those who had already benefited from a previous loan waiver included. For the first time, we took the decision that those who had earlier received a loan waiver under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Loan Waiver Scheme, but later became defaulters again, would be covered."
The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Loan Waiver scheme has been implemented in accordance with the Government Resolution issued on December 27, 2019. It covers beneficiary farmers with outstanding crop loans and restructured or rephased crop loans of upto Rs 50,000.
"Earlier, we had provided them relief of up to Rs 50,000. However, all the MLAs from the ruling party insisted that they should be granted a complete loan waiver as well. We accepted that demand. As a result, this is the biggest loan waiver implemented in the history of Maharashtra," he said on Saturday.
In 2026, the state government launched the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar loan waiver scheme, in which farmers could avail waiver benefits of upto Rs 2 lakh.
Fadnavis also said the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had carried out a major operation and that details would be shared soon.
"The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad has carried out a major operation. We will give you all the information regarding this. A lot of things have been found during this operation," Maharashtra CM said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some relief for farmers who were stuck in debt trap. But loan waiver alone won't solve the problem. We need better MSP, insurance, and irrigation facilities. Otherwise same cycle will repeat after 2-3 years. 😔
Biggest loan waiver in history? Sounds like election gimmick to me. They should focus on infrastructure and market access for farmers. Just waiving loans is like putting band-aid on a deep wound.
As a farmer's daughter, I can tell you that loan waivers bring temporary relief. But my father says the real issue is that banks don't give fresh loans after waiver, and input costs keep rising. Need sustainable policies.
Good that they included those who had taken waiver before. But what about small farmers with land less than 1 acre? They are the most vulnerable. Also, why is ATS operation news mixed with loan waiver? Seems like diversion tactic!
My uncle in Jalgaon just got his loan waived under this scheme. He's relieved but says next season he'll need new loans for seeds and fertilizer. Hope government has follow-up plan to prevent fresh debt. 🤞
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