Maharashtra To Announce Farm Loan Waiver By June 2026: Fadnavis

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced that the state government will launch an agriculture loan waiver scheme by June 30, 2026. The announcement came after a meeting at Sahyadri Guest House between Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and former minister and Prahar Janshakti Party leader Bacchu Kadu, who demanded loan assistance for farmers. Former MP Raju Shetti and All India Kisan Sabha member Dr. attended the meeting where measures to address the state’s deepening agricultural distress were discussed. Ajit Navale also attended.

Mr. Fadnavis said the state government has formed a committee under the chairmanship of Pravin Pardeshi, Chief Executive Officer of the state’s think tank MITRA, to prepare a detailed plan for farm loan waiver. Speaking to reporters after the meeting with farmer leaders that ended late at night at Sahyadri Guest House, the CM said that the committee will submit its report in the first week of April 2026. “The committee will decide the loan waiver norms and implementation process,” he said.

The government announced the formation of a high-level committee chaired by Mr. Pardeshi. The nine-member panel was tasked with recommending both short-term and long-term measures to improve farmers’ conditions and help them escape the cycle of debt. According to the government order issued by the Cooperation Department, the committee will also recommend ways to improve the living standards of farmers across the state. Pardeshi is expected to submit the panel’s report to the state government within six months.

The Prime Minister added that the government will work on the committee’s report within three months before taking the final decision. “We will take the final decision on farm loan waiver before June 30, 2026,” Mr. Fadnavis assured, reiterating that the government stands with farmers in the state.

Mr. Kadu also said the government has set a specific timeline to ensure that farmers’ arrears are paid before the June 2026 deadline.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Kadu canceled the proposal to build a “Roko Andolan Railway” in Nagpur after the Bombay High Court warned him against possible inconvenience to citizens.

Protesters led by the former minister had on Wednesday blocked National Highway 44, popularly known as Wardha Road, after the Bombay High court directed him to clear the protest site immediately and told police officials to take strict action against the protesters if Mr. Kadu did not comply with the court order.

When the matter was announced on Thursday morning, Justice Rajnish Vyas was informed that the protest site had been cleared and traffic flow was now smooth on the highway in question. However, it was emphasized that Mr. Kadu made a press statement stating that he would continue with the Rail Roko Andolan if the relevant authorities did not meet with him.

However, the court said, “It is clearly stated that the defendants will take all necessary steps in advance to ensure that there is no disruption in road transport or movement of rail traffic.” he said.

Following the clear direction of the high court, lawyer Hariom Dhage, representing Mr. Kadu, stated that his client has decided to cancel the Roko Andolan Railway.