Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that the state government will implement a farm loan waiver before June 30 of next year. This decision comes after discussions with farmer leaders who have been protesting to demand the promised waiver.

Fadnavis made the announcement on Thursday after a meeting with former MLA and Prahar Janshakti Party leader Bachchu Kadu, who has been leading protests for a farm loan waiver. The meeting took place at Sahyadri guesthouse. Fadnavis emphasized the government's commitment to supporting farmers facing financial difficulties.

"The government is in favour of the farm loan waiver," Fadnavis stated. He acknowledged the financial strain on the government but assured that assistance would be provided to those affected by heavy rains and floods. "The government will also fulfil the promise of a loan waiver," he added.

To address the issue of farmer debt comprehensively, the Maharashtra government has formed a nine-member committee to develop a long-term plan for farmers facing debt. The committee will be headed by the CEO of Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), Pravin Pardeshi. The committee will make recommendations to bring farmers out of the debt trap and for the implementation of the farm loan waiver. The committee will also suggest how farmers can become debt-free permanently. The report from the committee is expected in April 2026. The government will decide on the farm loan waiver before June 30 after studying the committee's recommendations.

Kadu expressed satisfaction with the meeting, stating, "The meeting was positive. We wanted a date regarding the farm loan waiver, and the state government has given that".

The government's focus is currently on directly depositing financial aid into the bank accounts of farmers affected by rain and floods. So far, Rs 8,500 crore has been provided to those affected by heavy rains, with Rs 6,000 crore already reaching the farmers. The remaining assistance is expected to reach farmers within the next 10-15 days.

The decision to form a committee and set a deadline for the farm loan waiver demonstrates the government's willingness to address the concerns of farmers and find sustainable solutions to alleviate their financial burden. The implementation of the waiver and the long-term strategies developed by the committee are expected to provide much-needed relief to the farming community in Maharashtra.