Maharashtra govt announces loan waiver for small, marginal farmers

MUMBAI: In a relief for farmers, the Maharashrta government on Sunday agreed to waive loans with some conditions.

The decision was taken during a marathon meeting held in Mumbai between a panel of ministers and farmers steering committee.

A committee will be formed comprising members from the state government and farmers to decide the criteria for complete

loan waiver

.

It has been decided that farmers who are dependent only on farm produce will get the benefits of the waiver.

Read this story in Gujarati

It was decided that small and marginal farmers will get relief with immediate effect.

"We have agreed on the blanket loan waiver in principle and the criteria will soon be fixed. Apart from this, the loans of small and marginal farmers have been waived with immediate effect. Regarding other farmers, a committee will fix a criteria, based on which further waiver will be sanctioned," said Chandrakant Patil, revenue minister who heads the state-appointed ministers' panel.

Ajit Navale

, a farmer leader, said that the decision will not put an end to the protest, but added that the agitation has been postponed for now till July 25.

"The protest will intensify again if the government does not fulfil its promise of a blanket loan waiver till the monsoon session (July 24)."

"No political leader, businessman or salaried person should get the benefits of the loan waiver. Only the real farmers should be benefited," he added.

It was also decided that cases against farmers will not be withdrawn if related to theft or damage.