The Maharashtra government has constituted three separate panels, including a cabinet sub-committee led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, to ensure swift implementation of its loan waiver scheme and wider farmer coverage. The move comes ahead of the state legislature’s monsoon session starting next week, which is expected to be stormy over the farm loan waiver issue.
Loan Waiver Scheme Details
The state cabinet had approved the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana 2026 on June 2, with an outlay of about Rs 36,000 crore, expected to benefit 55.7 lakh farmers. The scheme covers short-term crop loans taken between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2025, and includes three components — a debt waiver, a one-time settlement and incentive benefits for farmers who have regularly serviced their loans. The loan waiver was a key promise in Mahayuti’s manifesto ahead of the 2024 assembly polls.
Opposition Criticism
The opposition and farmers’ representatives have, however, criticised the government for not delivering on its promise of a complete and unconditional loan waiver, alleging that several conditions in the scheme might limit its reach.
Three Panels Formed
A government resolution (GR) issued on Wednesday stated that a ministerial sub-committee under the CM would review the implementation and recommend changes to the scheme’s terms and conditions. The panel includes both deputy chief ministers, senior ministers and the principal secretary of the cooperation department.
A second panel, led by the chief secretary, has been tasked with suggesting modifications to the scheme. This committee includes Pravin Pardeshi, the chief economic advisor to the CM, whose team had originally drafted the scheme framework.
The third panel, under the additional principal secretary of the finance department, will determine concessions for farmers opting for a one-time settlement of dues exceeding Rs 2 lakh — another contentious aspect of the scheme.
Political Reactions
Meanwhile, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has launched an online form inviting farmers to submit details of their crop loans, indicate whether they benefited from the 2019 waiver scheme and assess their ability to repay amounts exceeding Rs 2 lakh. Pawar has also written to the CM, requesting a meeting on June 22 to discuss the scheme’s conditions. He has submitted a list of members who will be part of the delegation.
