Chief minister Eknath Shinde has reportedly held back the proposal moved by the cooperation department recently for want of funds.
The cash-strapped state government in Maharashtra is facing a major crisis as it struggles to meet its financial obligations, particularly towards the farmers of the state. The government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has been concentrating on implementing various populist schemes, such as the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which have drained the state’s funds and left many farmers in a state of distress.
One of the most pressing issues facing the state government is the non-payment of dues amounting to a staggering ₹5,975 crore towards the farmers’ loan waiver scheme that was launched by the previous Devendra Fadnavis government in 2017. Despite the promises made by the government to provide relief to farmers burdened by loans, the funds allocated for the scheme have not been disbursed, leaving many farmers in a precarious financial situation.
The Fadnavis-led BJP-Shiv Sena government had announced a loan waiver for farmers in 2017 and had disbursed ₹18,900 crore to 48 lakh farmers. However, the new waiver announced by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government in December 2019 has led to delays in the payment of dues to many farmers. Due to the initial verification process and a subsequent change in the information technology company of the government, nearly 6.5 lakh farmers have been deprived of their dues towards the loan waiver amount.
Farmers from various regions of Maharashtra, such as Karajgaon village in Newasa tehsil of Ahmednagar, have been protesting against the non-payment of their dues. They have been unable to secure fresh crop loans due to the outstanding loans from 2017 that have not been cleared from the revenue records. In a desperate bid to draw attention to their plight, farmers held a protest outside cooperation minister Dilip Walse Patil’s residence in Pune, demanding the release of their seven-year-old dues.
A senior NCP leader, Ajit Pawar, expressed concern over the government’s inaction in addressing the farmers’ grievances. He highlighted that the cooperation department had submitted a proposal to Chief Minister Shinde for approval, but it was put on hold due to a lack of funds. The government’s focus on implementing populist schemes announced in the budget has left many farmers in limbo, waiting for their dues to be cleared.
An official from the cooperation department revealed that the delay in payment of dues was initially due to technical glitches and is now exacerbated by a cash crunch. Most of the 6.5 lakh farmers awaiting their loan waiver dues fall under the one-time settlement scheme category, where farmers had to pay outstanding dues of over ₹1.5 lakh to receive a waiver of the same amount. The official stated that there are 2.94 lakh farmers eligible for a payout of ₹3,985 crore in the one-time settlement category, while the remaining 3.5 lakh farmers are eligible for ₹1,990 crore from other schemes such as incentives for regular payment and a complete waiver of up to ₹1.5 lakh.
The implementation of the Thackeray government’s loan waiver in December 2019 was carried out by MahaIT, a state government entity, while the 2017 loan waiver was managed by MahaOnline, a joint venture of the government with TCS. The exchange of data between MahaOnline and TCS regarding beneficiary farmers has further delayed the process of releasing the benefits to the farmers. The cooperation department is now seeking the Chief Minister’s approval to release the funds before the announcement of the code of conduct for the upcoming assembly polls.
The plight of Maharashtra’s farmers is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in the state. With mounting debts, crop failures, and lack of government support, many farmers are struggling to make ends meet. The delay in the payment of dues under the loan waiver scheme has only added to their hardships, pushing them further into financial instability.
Impact on Farmers
The non-payment of dues towards the loan waiver scheme has had a severe impact on the lives of farmers in Maharashtra. Many farmers who were promised relief from their debts have been left in a state of uncertainty, unsure of when they will receive the much-needed funds to ease their financial burden. The delay in disbursing the dues has also hindered farmers’ ability to access fresh crop loans, further exacerbating their financial woes.
Government Response
The government’s handling of the situation has come under scrutiny, with many questioning its priorities and commitment to the welfare of farmers. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s decision to hold back the proposal for want of funds has raised concerns about the government’s ability to fulfill its promises to the farming community. The focus on implementing populist schemes at the expense of farmers’ livelihoods has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and farmer unions, who are calling for immediate action to address the crisis.
Way Forward
As Maharashtra grapples with the financial challenges facing its agricultural sector, urgent steps need to be taken to alleviate the plight of farmers. The government must prioritize the release of funds towards the loan waiver scheme and ensure that farmers receive their dues in a timely manner. Efforts should be made to streamline the verification process and address any technical glitches that are causing delays in disbursing the funds. Additionally, the government should work towards providing long-term solutions to support farmers and promote sustainable agriculture practices in the state.
In conclusion, the situation facing Maharashtra’s farmers underscores the need for greater accountability and transparency in government policies and programs. The government must prioritize the welfare of farmers and take concrete steps to address their concerns and grievances. By fulfilling its commitments towards the loan waiver scheme and providing adequate support to farmers, the government can help alleviate the financial burden on the agricultural community and ensure a more sustainable future for agriculture in Maharashtra.
