In a massive boost to the agrarian economy, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a waiver of ₹48,000 crore in pending electricity dues for farmers to facilitate new connections.

Key Takeaways

  • Maharashtra to waive ₹48,000 crore in pending agricultural electricity dues.
  • The Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Loan Waiver Scheme will benefit 56 lakh farmers.
  • A combined investment of ₹95,000 crore is planned by Center and State for agriculture.
  • Focus on AI, Israeli irrigation, and natural farming to boost productivity.

In a landmark move aimed at revitalizing the agricultural landscape of Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday that the state government will waive approximately ₹48,000 crore in pending electricity dues owed by farmers. This decisive action is intended to clear the path for farmers who have been struggling to secure new agricultural power connections due to historical arrears recorded in their names.

Comprehensive Debt Relief Measures

The announcement was made during a felicitation ceremony at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai, honoring the CM for the recently launched Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme. Under this ambitious scheme, farmers can avail of loan waivers up to ₹2 lakh, benefiting an estimated 56 lakh individuals. The total outlay for this scheme is set at ₹36,585 crore, with the government significantly easing previous restrictions that applied to beneficiaries of the erstwhile Mahatma Jyotirao Phule scheme.

Modernization and Infrastructure Investment

Beyond immediate debt relief, Chief Minister Fadnavis outlined a long-term vision for sustainable and profitable farming. He emphasized that the state is making massive investments in irrigation projects, cold storage facilities, and food processing industries. By integrating modern technologies—such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Israeli fertigation systems, and automated drip irrigation—the government aims to drastically reduce cultivation costs while enhancing soil fertility and crop yields.

Water Management and Strategic Growth

Addressing the perennial issue of water scarcity and flooding, the CM highlighted efforts to make Maharashtra drought-free through river-linking projects. A key strategy includes diverting surplus floodwaters from the Satara-Sangli region to the drought-prone Marathwada region via diversion barrages. With a combined investment of nearly ₹95,000 crore from both the Central and State governments this year, Maharashtra is positioning itself to transform farming from a subsistence activity into a highly productive and profitable enterprise.