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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.

The Day the Sausages Got Salsa’d

In what can only be described as football’s version of a fever dream after too many questionable street tacos, Ecuador defeated Germany 2-1 in a Group Stage thriller at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Yes, you read that right. The team that once gave us the Wunderteam and precision engineering got outplayed by a squad whose tactical masterplan appeared to involve “run fast, celebrate harder, and maybe pray to the mountain gods.”


The match, held in a sweltering stadium in the American Midwest that somehow combined European expectations with Midwestern humidity, was billed as a formality. Germany, four-time champions and perennial overachievers, entered as heavy favorites. Their starting XI looked like it had been assembled in a Stuttgart laboratory: efficient, ruthless, and slightly intimidating. Ecuador? They were the plucky underdogs who qualified after a campaign best remembered for dramatic penalty shootouts and a goalkeeper who moonlights as a part-time shaman.


Pre-match, German coach Julian Nagelsmann wore the serene expression of a man who had already planned the victory parade. Ecuador’s coach, meanwhile, looked like he’d just won the lottery and was worried someone would ask for the ticket back. Social media was awash with memes: “Ecuador vs Germany = Ant vs Boot.”


Then the game kicked off and reality filed for divorce.


The first half belonged to the Germans in theory but Ecuador in spirit. Germany dominated possession (68% at one point), threading elegant passes like they were knitting a very expensive scarf. But Ecuador defended like a group of cousins protecting their abuela’s secret recipe—ferocious, disorganized, and strangely effective. Every German attack met a wall of sliding tackles, desperate clearances, and the occasional theatrical dive that would make Oscar winners blush.


Then, in the 28th minute, the impossible happened. Ecuador broke on a counter-attack that looked more like a chaotic family getaway than a football move. Midfielder Kendry Páez, who played like he’d had three espressos and a motivational speech from a llama, surged forward and slipped a delightful through-ball to Enner Valencia. The veteran striker, defying both age and German logic, rounded the keeper and slotted home. 1-0 Ecuador.


The stadium fell into a stunned silence broken only by confused German fans muttering “Was zum Teufel?” and Ecuadorian supporters erupting into what can only be described as a spontaneous street party complete with invisible horns.


Germany responded with typical Teutonic grit. In the 52nd minute, they equalized through a beautifully worked goal by Jamal Musiala, who danced through three defenders like they owed him money. The equalizer was so aesthetically pleasing it briefly made everyone forget the scoreline and appreciate modern football. For five glorious minutes, order was restored. The Germans passed the ball with arrogant precision. Ecuador looked momentarily like they’d remembered they were supposed to lose.


But this Ecuador side had clearly not read the script. In the 71st minute, disaster struck for the Europeans—or comedy gold, depending on your passport. A seemingly innocuous cross from Ecuador’s right-back (who shall remain nameless because even he looked shocked) sailed into the box. German defender Antonio Rüdiger, usually as reliable as a BMW, attempted a clearance that somehow ricocheted off his knee, the turf, and the post before trickling into his own net. Own goal. 2-1 Ecuador.


Pandemonium. Ecuadorian players sprinted to the corner flag performing a dance that looked suspiciously like a victory ritual involving invisible potatoes. German players stood motionless, faces frozen in expressions usually reserved for discovering your IKEA furniture is missing one crucial Allen key.


The final twenty minutes were pure theater. Germany threw everything forward, including the kitchen sink, two tactical subs, and what appeared to be their national pride. Ecuador sat deep, defended heroically, and launched occasional breakaways that terrified the Germans more than any economic downturn. Goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez pulled off saves that can only be described as “miraculous” or “statistically improbable,” depending on whether you believe in divine intervention or just really good positioning.


Full time: Ecuador 2, Germany 1.


Post-match, the reactions were priceless. Nagelsmann, looking like he’d aged ten years in ninety minutes, mumbled something about “needing to analyze” and “unexpected intensity.” Ecuador’s coach, beaming like he’d just discovered oil in the Andes, praised his players’ “heart, passion, and ability to make Europeans question their life choices.”


Social media exploded. #EcuadorVsGermany trended alongside memes of German efficiency failing spectacularly. One viral clip showed a German fan in traditional lederhosen slowly removing his hat in solemn defeat while an Ecuadorian supporter offered him a consolatory empanada.


(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai.)

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