Only 55,000 farmers’ loans waived: govt.

Mumbai: Despite distributing certificates to farmers on Diwali, the State government has managed to waive loans of only 55,000 of 56.58 lakh farmers.

Cooperation Minister Subhash Deshmukh on Wednesday said that ₹370 crore has been deposited in their accounts. “The government is confident that the loan waiver for 80% farmers will be over by November-end.”

The minister’s clarification comes a day after the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) criticised the government. Former Deputy Chief Minister and senior leader Ajit Pawar had said on Tuesday that as per his calculations, the government will not be able to complete the process in this month. “The government wants to keep the farmers tied to the online process, which in itself has flaws,” he said.

The NCP has announced ‘halla bol’ agitation against the government’s apathy on the farmer issues from November 25.

Replying to Mr. Pawar, the minister said that the loan waiver extended in the Congress-NCP regime took 10 months to complete. “We are using the new technology and we will show the Opposition that we can do what they could not during their time.”

Farmer organisations, meanwhile, slammed the minister. “We have been saying that this government is busy enacting a drama by bringing in an online application system. We still doubt the government number, and will seek details of those farmers who have received the benefits,” said Ajit Nawale of Maharashtra Kisan Sabha.