Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 10: The Maharashtra government is considering expanding the scope of its newly announced farm loan waiver scheme to include around 5.75 lakh farmers who were excluded from the loan waiver programmes introduced in 2017 and 2019.

The proposal was discussed during the state Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the Agriculture Department to prepare a detailed plan for extending the benefits to the left-out farmers.

According to officials, the move could increase the financial burden on the state by approximately Rs 1,400 crore, in addition to the Rs 36,585 crore already allocated for the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana 2026.

The development comes amid criticism from opposition parties and farmer organisations over the eligibility conditions attached to the loan waiver scheme, with concerns that a large number of distressed farmers may not benefit from it.

Sources in the Agriculture Department said the proposal seeks to address complaints from farmers who were left out of the 2017 and 2019 farm loan waiver schemes despite meeting eligibility requirements.

"The proposal was discussed in the Cabinet meeting and the Chief Minister has asked the department to work out the details. Around 5.75 lakh farmers who were excluded from previous loan waiver schemes are proposed to be included," a senior official said.

The issue was reportedly raised by a Shiv Sena minister during the Cabinet discussions.

Agriculture Minister Dattatraya Bharne had earlier indicated that the government was willing to revisit some of the eligibility conditions to ensure that more farmers could benefit from the scheme.

Farmer leaders and opposition parties have continued to press for broader coverage.

Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana president Raju Shetti questioned the restrictions imposed under the scheme and urged the government to extend the waiver to all farmers.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal also criticised the eligibility criteria, claiming that many distressed farmers would remain outside the scheme's ambit.

On June 2, the state Cabinet approved the Rs 36,585-crore Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana, which is expected to benefit nearly 55.72 lakh farmers.

Under the scheme, crop loans taken between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2025, are eligible for consideration. Farmers with outstanding crop loan dues as of September 30, 2025, can receive a waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh.

Farmers who have regularly repaid their loans will be entitled to an incentive of up to Rs 50,000.

Those with crop loan arrears exceeding Rs 2 lakh will be required to clear the amount above the threshold, after which the government will waive the remaining eligible amount up to Rs 2 lakh.

The scheme does not impose any landholding ceiling and also covers certain beneficiaries of the earlier Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana who later accumulated fresh arrears, as well as farmers with restructured loans.

However, salaried individuals earning more than Rs 25,000 per month, income-tax payers, pensioners receiving over Rs 25,000 per month, serving and former elected representatives, and government employees remain ineligible for the benefits.

The proposed expansion is expected to be examined in detail before a final decision is taken by the state government.