Heated debate among ruling MLCs over farm loan waiver

Mumbai: A heated debate was seen between MLCs from the ruling alliance in the upper house of the Maharashtra legislature on Wednesday even as the house discussed the farm loan waiver scheme announced by the state government a few days ago.

Newly elected MLC Bachchu Kadu of Shiv Sena raised several objection on the loan waiver scheme even as a comprehensive discussion took place in the Legislative Council. The objections were primarily about the state of implementation of the scheme and demanded that the government make necessary amendments. In the flow of his arguments, he blamed the minister for evading answers, which irked BJP leader of the house Pravin Darekar and a a sparkling exchange was witnessed for a few minutes before the Chairman of the house intervened and pacified the agitated legislators.

Darekar objected to Kadu’s interrupting the ministers. He pointed out similar behavior by Kadu during question hour and said this should not be allowed and that decorum of the house needs to maintained.

Darekar also accused Kadu of unnecessarily raising voice since he has to maintain his image of farmer’s leader and challenged him saying that he can scream at a voice louder than Kadu. The chair then intervened and calmed down both the sides.

Earlier in the debate Kadu pointed out that many farmers have not yet received the incentive amounts promised under the state’s 2017 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Karjmukti Yojana and the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Karjmaafi Yojana of 2019. Furthermore, even though several farmers’ names already appear on the official debt waiver list, the government has failed to disburse the corresponding funds to the banks. Consequently, these farmers are entirely unable to secure new loans and are forced to endure long waiting periods for their waivers to clear. Kadu highlighted that the High Court has also intervened in this matter, mandating that the government must disburse the funds and clear the dues for all eligible farmers.

Recovery Tactic

Highlighting a specific flaw regarding the loan limits, Kadu criticized the government’s stipulation that farmers who benefited from the 2019 Mahatma Phule Debt Waiver Scheme would now be granted only Rs 50,000. He argued that if a farmer holds a loan of Rs two lakh and the government only provides Rs 50,000 — expecting the farmer to somehow repay the remaining Rs 1.5 lakh — the scheme functions more as a bank recovery tactic than actual financial relief. Insisting that a concrete decision must be made regarding this restrictive policy, he condemned the unnecessary complications introduced during the waiver’s initial implementation. Kadu firmly stressed that if the government’s reputation is being tarnished by the bureaucratic mismanagement of administrative officers, strict disciplinary decisions must be taken against them to streamline the process.

Responding to these mounting concerns, Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane clarified the government’s resolute stance. He assured the council that the administration would actively incorporate these suggestions and criticisms while formulating future agricultural policies. Emphasizing that the empowerment and development of farmers remain the central focus for all stakeholders, Bharane reiterated that the Mahayuti government stands firmly behind the state’s agricultural community. He acknowledged that it is the administration’s fundamental duty to provide strong, unwavering backing to farmers facing financial distress and systemic hardships.

Massive Debt

Addressing the delayed payouts, Minister Bharane explained that the Chief Minister had previously announced the debt waiver would be distributed before June 30, but further disclosures and actions were temporarily stalled due to the enforcement of the election code of conduct. To allay fears, he officially assured the council that a massive total debt waiver of Rs 36,585 crore will be provided to 56 lakh farmers across the state. Noting that this specific promise is actively backed by Devendra Fadnavis, Bharane concluded by affirming that the government will carefully evaluate all legislative suggestions and implement necessary reforms to guarantee that farmers receive the maximum possible benefit from these relief schemes.