Baramati, Correspondent
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has stirred controversy with his recent remarks on farm loan waivers. Speaking on the issue, Pawar said, “Once farmers are provided loans at zero percent interest, they should develop the mindset to repay them. Asking for everything free — this waived, that waived — cannot go on forever.”
Farmers in Maharashtra have previously benefited from loan waivers during the tenures of Sharad Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis, and Uddhav Thackeray. “In 2024, we too promised a full loan waiver because we wanted to come to power. But such waivers require thousands of crores of rupees,” Pawar admitted.
The remark comes amid ongoing farmer protests led by Prahar Janashakti Party chief Bachchu Kadu in Nagpur, demanding complete loan forgiveness. Leaders from other farmers’ organizations, including Raju Shetti of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, also joined the agitation.
Following the Chief Minister’s appeal, several farmer leaders attended a meeting in Mumbai where the state government announced that a decision on the farm loan waiver would be made by June 30. A committee headed by senior IAS officer Pravin Pardeshi has been formed to work out the implementation process.
However, Pawar’s comments have caused uproar.
“Farmers will avenge this betrayal,” warns Congress leader
Reacting sharply, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, “Ajit Pawar’s statement that the promise of full loan waiver was only to win elections is shocking. This is outright betrayal of farmers, and they will not forgive it.”
He added that although assurances were given in the high-level meeting about a complete waiver, Pawar’s remarks have now created doubts among farmers about whether the government truly intends to deliver on its promise.
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