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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Fadnavis writes off Rs 48,000 crore

Mumbai: In a clear indication that the Maharashtra government is leaving no stone unturned to keep the state’s agrarian base happy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has unleashed yet another massive populist measure. Hot on the heels of relaxing the eligibility criteria to ensure a blanket farm loan waiver, the Chief Minister announced a sweeping Rs 48,000 crore waiver on the pending electricity bills of farmers across the state. Addressing a ‘Krutadnyata Sohala’ (gratitude ceremony)...

Fadnavis writes off Rs 48,000 crore

Mumbai: In a clear indication that the Maharashtra government is leaving no stone unturned to keep the state’s agrarian base happy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has unleashed yet another massive populist measure. Hot on the heels of relaxing the eligibility criteria to ensure a blanket farm loan waiver, the Chief Minister announced a sweeping Rs 48,000 crore waiver on the pending electricity bills of farmers across the state. Addressing a ‘Krutadnyata Sohala’ (gratitude ceremony) organized by the BJP Kisan Morcha at Mumbai’s Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan on Wednesday, Fadnavis declared that farmers using agricultural pumps of up to 7.5 horsepower will see their historical electricity dues completely wiped out. The announcement was met with the traditional sounding of the Tutari and thunderous applause from hundreds of farmers who had gathered from every corner of the state. The Chief Minister framed the mega-sop as a necessary step to “wipe the farmers’ slate clean,” enabling them to write a new chapter of prosperity. Calculated Pitch The timing and scale of the announcement underscore a government that is boldly embracing populist economics to solidify its political footprint in rural Maharashtra. While Fadnavis maintained that these decisions were taken purely in the interest of the farmers—pointing out that the original loan waiver was announced when no elections were in sight—the political undertones were unmistakable. Taking a sharp dig at the opposition, the Chief Minister accused rival parties of running “political shops” in the name of farmer agitations without understanding the government’s genuine intent. Asserting his grassroots connection, Fadnavis proudly claimed, “I do not make decisions sitting in my house. I am a farmer myself, a man of the soil.” He openly defended the government’s recent move to strip away the stringent conditions attached to the blanket farm loan waiver, signaling that his administration will not hesitate to clear bureaucratic hurdles if it means putting money directly into the hands of the rural voter. Balancing Sops Even as he rained freebies, the Chief Minister attempted to balance the populist optics with a dose of economic pragmatism. He acknowledged that handing out repeated loan waivers is a symptom of deep-rooted agrarian distress, not a permanent cure. Pointing to the Rs 95,000 crore in aid currently being pumped into the agricultural sector by the state and central governments, Fadnavis outlined his administration’s shift toward an investment-driven agricultural model. He championed the success of schemes like ‘Jalyukt Shivar’ and ‘Magel Tyala Shettale’ (farm ponds on demand), claiming these initiatives have already empowered farmers to harvest multiple crops a year. Addressing the core issue of farming costs, he noted that the government already subsidises power to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore annually. By coupling this with a push for solar pumps and solar agricultural feeders, he promised that 100 percent of the state’s farmers would receive uninterrupted daytime electricity by the end of the year. Infra Dream Looking beyond immediate financial relief, the Chief Minister laid out a grandiose vision to permanently drought-proof Maharashtra’s most vulnerable regions. A staggering Rs 6 lakh crore infrastructure pipeline is being planned to ensure the next generation never witnesses a drought. Fadnavis detailed ambitious river-linking projects, including the Wainganga-Nalganga link, to divert excess floodwaters to parched regions. The state plans to construct 24 new dams and raise the height of 16 existing ones to ensure not a single district in Vidarbha faces water scarcity. Furthermore, massive engineering feats are on the drawing board to divert 200 TMC of floodwater from Western Maharashtra to Marathwada, and lift 275 TMC of wasted water from the Ulhas basin to quench the thirst of North Maharashtra and Marathwada. By marrying immediate, massive debt relief with long-term infrastructure promises, the Fadnavis administration is aggressively cementing its pro-farmer narrative. As the Yashwantrao Chavan auditorium echoed with whistles and cheers, it became highly evident that the government’s strategy of pairing mega populist waivers with big-ticket rural dreams is striking a powerful chord with the state’s agrarian voters.

Rain rave water music festival in Malaysia

Authorities expect boost in visitors’ demand and support to local economy

Putrajaya: Kuala Lumpur is prepared to celebrate the World Labour Day Celebration cum Rain Rave Water Music Festival from April 30 to May 3 in Bukit Bintang. The festival presents an opportunity to welcome visitors from across the region and beyond to be part of a shared, cross-cultural experience in Malaysia.


In addition to the main event in Kuala Lumpur, seven states have also expressed their readiness to organise complementary related-themed activities, tailored to their respective local contexts and cultural elements. These include Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka, Kedah, WP Labuan, Pahang and Terengganu, reflecting a broader nationwide participation in celebrating the occasion.


The event is co-organised by ‘Tourism Malaysia’ and ‘The Fame’ as part of the broader Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism ecosystem.


The Rain Rave Water Music Festival is positioned as a strategic urban tourism activation that reflects Malaysia’s multicultural society and promotes inclusivity, bringing together industry players, creative partners and commercial stakeholders, while driving visitor traffic and stimulating spending across retail, hospitality and services sectors.


Beyond entertainment, the festival integrates Malaysian multicultural elements, local creative talent and curated lifestyle experiences, reflecting the strength of Malaysia’s creative industry ecosystem while appealing to both domestic and international audiences. Visitors can expect immersive environments inspired by rain, a diverse lineup of international and regional DJs alongside Malaysian acts, as well as curated local market experiences featuring Malaysian food, culture and creative expressions.


Malaysian Identity

Rain Rave remains rooted in Malaysian identity with a contemporary approach that reflects both tradition and modern creativity. Inspired by rain as a vital natural element in Malaysia’s environment, the festival transforms this familiar element into a creative and cultural expression while showcasing Malaysia’s diverse cultural traditions, through traditional performances, food, and games.


Held in conjunction with Labour Day, the festival serves as a meaningful tribute to the contributions of all working communities and will be developed as a signature annual event, strengthening its role as a key highlight in Malaysia’s tourism calendar and positioning the country as a youthful and energetic destination.


The event is further supported by a network of public and private stakeholders. Cultural and content support is provided by agencies such as Istana Budaya, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, the National Department for Culture and Arts and the Department of National Heritage, enhancing the overall visitor experience.


Comprehensive planning is in place, including traffic management, crowd control measures, safety protocols and coordination with enforcement agencies, to ensure a safe, orderly and well-managed environment for all visitors.

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