The steering committee of farmers’ bodies in the State has asked farmers to organise rallies on Friday against the government’s loan waiver scheme.
Ajit Navale, convener of the farmers’ steering committee, said, “Of the 55 lakh applicants, only a small percentage will benefit. We have appealed to all farmers to file cheating and abetment to suicide cases against the government on Friday.”
The BJP-led government in June had unveiled a ₹34,022-crore farm loan waiver scheme, under which debts of up to ₹1.5 lakh would be written off, bringing relief to about 89 lakh farmers. However, farmers’ organisations have questioned the lack of transparency and demanded that the government make public the actual number of beneficiaries.
They point out that there are seven lakh farmers with an outstanding debt of more than ₹1.5 lakh who won’t benefit. Mr. Navale said, “ The phase-wise disbursement of money is aimed at creating fissures within the farming community.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his government is doing its best to help all farmers. “The farmers are aware of our intentions to help them. That’s why despite provocations by opposition parties, they have patiently stood by us. We will keep our word to help every needy farmer.”
