Maharashtra has increased the farm loan waiver under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar scheme to Rs 2 lakh, extending relief to those who benefited from the 2019 Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana. The move follows opposition criticism and relaxes earlier eligibility conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Farm loan waiver increased to Rs 2 lakh under Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar scheme.
- Beneficiaries of the 2019 Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana receive additional relief.
- Relaxation follows opposition criticism and a review of eligibility criteria.
Maharashtra has raised the farm loan waiver to Rs 2 lakh under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar scheme, extending relief to those who benefited from the 2019 Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana. The decision came after opposition parties highlighted gaps in the scheme’s eligibility conditions.
Previously, the 2019 scheme capped the waiver at Rs 50 000 for farmers who repaid crop loans between 2022‑23 and 2024‑25 on time. Many borrowers, however, carried debt exceeding Rs 2 lakh, making the relief insufficient.
Opposition leaders argued that the exclusions left a large segment of distressed farmers untouched. In response, Agriculture Minister Dattatraya Bharne pledged to modify the norms and a cabinet sub‑committee was set up to reassess the criteria.
The new waiver, now up to Rs 2 lakh, is expected to benefit about 56 lakh farmers, according to government estimates. This marks the third consecutive loan‑waiver initiative in Maharashtra, a state that has repeatedly used such schemes to shore up the farming community.
While the waiver offers immediate respite, experts warn that reliance on debt forgiveness can foster a cycle of dependency. The government must complement these measures with sustainable financial frameworks, lower interest rates, and improved access to credit for farmers.
