Maharashtra Government Releases First List of Crop Loan Waiver

Government of Maharashtra on 24th February 2020 released the first list of crop loan waiver to 15,358 farmers in 68 districts of the state. The potential beneficiaries would be given up to Rs. 2 lakh waiver under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Shetkari Karjamukti Yojana along with a receipt.

Last year in December, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray had made the announcement to write off outstanding crop loans till 30th September 2019.

The money will be deposited directly in the farmers' bank accounts, bypassing the earlier method of routing it through state cooperation minister who then used to send it to the district deputy registrar.

Vijay Wadettiwar, State cabinet minister said that "We have waived the loans within sixty days of announcing the scheme. The first list has been announced. Farmers were present during the declaration of the list through video conferencing. They are happy that earlier they had to run around for the money but now it will be deposited directly in their bank account."

On the other hand, Bhartiya Janta Party-led opposition has criticized state governments’ step by terming it a joke. Opposition had also organized a state-wide protest on the issue of farm loan waiver & women safety & took on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. It said that the waiver is a farce.

Bhartiya Janata Party MLA Ashish Shelar told that "It is a joke on farmers, not waiver. Over 35 lakh farmers were waiting for a waiver & only 15,000 got it. First, the government spoke about full loan waiver and then removed the loans taken for tractors & other tools. Then they limited the amount to Rs 2 lakh and out of only 0.16% of farmers have benefited."

Maharashtra government aims to release the 2nd list very soon and complete the entire process by May end. Farmers from Ahmednagar, Amravati & Parbhani, were present via video conferencing on Monday.