Maharashtra Farm Loan Waiver Committee Submits Crucial Report to Chief Minister
In a significant development for Maharashtra's agricultural sector, the high-level committee led by MITRA CEO Praveen Pardeshi has formally submitted its comprehensive report to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This committee, established precisely six months ago, was tasked with the critical mission of formulating specific criteria for the much-anticipated farm loan waiver and recommending both immediate and long-term measures to address the persistent agrarian distress across the state.
Path to Implementation of a Key Poll Promise
The submission of this detailed report marks a pivotal step forward for the state government, bringing it substantially closer to fulfilling the farm loan waiver commitment that was a cornerstone of the Mahayuti alliance's manifesto during the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections. The report's journey is now set to continue through the state's administrative machinery. It will undergo rigorous scrutiny by the state cooperation department before being presented to the cabinet for final discussion and official approval.
Origins and Context of the Committee
The genesis of this committee traces back to October 30, 2025, when the state government officially constituted the body under Pardeshi's leadership. This decision was a direct response to sustained agitation and demands led by Prahar Janshakti leader Bachchu Kadu, who vocally campaigned for the urgent implementation of the promised loan waiver to alleviate farmer hardships.
During the state budget session in March, Chief Minister Fadnavis had addressed the legislative assembly, outlining the government's preliminary stance. He announced the intention to provide a waiver on farm loans of up to ₹2 lakh, applicable until the cut-off date of September 30, 2025. Furthermore, he proposed an incentive of ₹50,000 for farmers who maintain a record of regular loan repayments. However, the Chief Minister had explicitly clarified that the final structure and exact contours of the waiver scheme would be determined only after receiving and reviewing the Pardeshi committee's expert recommendations.
Status of Existing Farmer Welfare Schemes
In related legislative discussions, Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil provided crucial updates on ongoing farmer benefit programs. He revealed that nearly six lakh farmers are still awaiting the disbursement of benefits under the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana. According to his written reply, out of 50.6 lakh farmers deemed eligible under this scheme, benefits have successfully reached 44.04 lakh farmers. Administrative processes are actively underway to extend coverage to the remaining 6.56 lakh eligible beneficiaries.
Background on the Sanman YojanaLaunched in June 2017, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana was a landmark initiative designed to provide substantial relief from agrarian distress. The scheme promised a complete waiver of outstanding crop loans, covering both principal and interest, up to a limit of ₹1.5 lakh per farmer family.
Progress on Other Debt Waiver Initiatives
The government also released updated figures for the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana, demonstrating significant progress. The data indicates that 32.29 lakh out of 32.42 lakh eligible farmers have now received debt waiver benefits under this program. Additionally, under a 2019 incentive scheme, benefits have been successfully disbursed to 14.5 lakh farmers following the completion of mandatory Aadhaar authentication processes, ensuring targeted and verified delivery of support.
