CM: Farm Loan Waiver Will Be Implemented at 'Right Time'

Opposition Raised Doubts After Ajit Pawar's Recent Remark That the Current Financial Condition of the State Does Not Allow for Farm Loan Waiver

- HT Correspondent

PUNE: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that the state government is committed to implementing the farm loan waiver scheme, saying the decision would be taken "at an appropriate time" in line with existing rules and financial procedures.

"This government will not go back on a single promise. There are rules and a specific way to implement farm loan waivers. The decision will be taken at the appropriate time," said Fadnavis while speaking in Pune on Saturday.

Last week the state government announced that a committee will be set up to investigate the demands for a farm loan waiver. The move came after former independent MLA Bachchu Kadu threatened to intensify his protest on June 16 by deciding to fast and even stop water intake.

Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on June 14 had written to Kadu informing him that a high-level committee would be set up on the issue of farm loan waiver within 15 days.

"A decision on the farm loan waiver will be taken based on the report. And a decision on staying the loan recovery from a defaulter and providing a new loan will be taken by holding a special meeting," said the letter, which was submitted to Kadu by industries minister Uday Samant.