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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 Quiet Architect of New Zealand Cricket

In the annals of cricket, few players embody grace under pressure, tactical acumen, and unwavering humility quite like Kane Stuart Williamson. On this day, as the news of his retirement from international cricket reverberates across the globe, the cricketing world pauses to celebrate a maestro who elevated New Zealand from respected underdogs to genuine contenders on the biggest stages. At 35, Williamson steps away after a storied career spanning over 15 years, leaving behind a legacy defined not just by runs and records, but by the quiet dignity with which he transformed the Black Caps into a fighting unit.


Born on August 8, 1990, in Tauranga, Williamson’s journey began like many Kiwi talents—honed on backyard pitches and local clubs. He made his international debut in 2010, scoring a century on Test debut against India in Ahmedabad, a sign of the composure that would become his hallmark. Over 378 international matches, he amassed a staggering 19,346 runs with 48 centuries, becoming New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer in Tests and a pillar across formats.


What set Williamson apart was his ability to anchor innings with classical technique while accelerating when needed. His batting was a masterclass in balance—elegant drives, precise footwork, and an uncanny ability to read the game. He captained New Zealand with distinction, leading the side in all formats and instilling a culture of resilience and collective belief.


Fighting Unit

When Williamson assumed full-time captaincy around 2016, New Zealand cricket was at a crossroads. The team had talent but often fell short in crunch moments. Under his stewardship, the Black Caps became synonymous with smart, fighting cricket. Williamson’s leadership was never about histrionics or fiery speeches; it was cerebral, empathetic, and fiercely strategic. He fostered a team environment where players trusted their instincts, backed each other, and competed with integrity.


His crowning achievement as captain came in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final in 2021. Williamson led New Zealand to victory over India at The Oval, securing the country’s first major ICC trophy in the modern era. In that final, his unbeaten fifty in the second innings exemplified his temperament—calm, determined, and pivotal. He also guided the team to the finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup, showcasing their ability to challenge the giants consistently.


Williamson turned New Zealand into a unit that punched above its weight. Against stronger, resource-rich opponents, the Kiwis under him played with unity, adaptability, and mental toughness. He emphasized preparation, tactical flexibility, and player development, turning potential weaknesses into strengths. His humility rubbed off on the squad; stars like Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and others thrived in an atmosphere free of ego. Even in defeat, the Black Caps earned respect worldwide for their sportsmanship and grit—qualities personified by their leader.


Best Performances

Williamson’s career is studded with memorable knocks, but a few stand out as defining. In the 2019 ODI World Cup, he was a colossus, scoring 578 runs and earning Player of the Tournament as New Zealand reached the final. His consistency and big-match temperament were unmatched.


In Tests, his maiden double-century in 2015 against Sri Lanka and record-breaking feats, including becoming the first New Zealander to score a Test century against every top-tier nation, highlighted his class. He became New Zealand’s all-time leading Test run-scorer and the first to 8,000 runs in the format.


One of his most explosive displays came in T20Is, despite retiring from the format in November 2025 to focus on longer formats. His 95 off 48 against India in 2020 remains a fan favorite, blending timing and power.


Perhaps his most clutch performance was in the 2018 Test against England or various chases where his calm presence steered the team home. Williamson’s occasional off-spin also provided crucial breakthroughs, adding depth to his all-round value.


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

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