Nagpur: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday clarified the state’s proposed farm loan waiver will cover crop loans up to ₹2 lakh taken from any bank legally authorised to provide agricultural credit, dismissing speculation that only certain institutions would be included. “The loan waiver should benefit the farmer and not the bank,” the CM told reporters here. Fadnavis said rumours suggesting the scheme would exclude loans taken from nationalised banks, district cooperative banks, or other lending institutions were incorrect. “Some people try to create different narratives. Some say nationalised banks will not be covered, some say district banks will not be covered. Where was it mentioned that these will not be included,” he asked.Fadnavis reiterated the govt already announced the waiver in the state budget and the process for implementation would begin soon. “Earlier, we said the loan waiver will be implemented before June 30. Now that it was announced in the budget, the process will begin. A committee is working on details and will communicate the remaining aspects,” he said.The CM said the govt aimed to design a scheme that would provide meaningful relief to farmers. “I will only say this much. This loan waiver will be better than any other,” he added.Earlier in the day, Fadnavis attended the inauguration of an XSIO industrial park and the groundbreaking ceremony for a plug-and-play manufacturing facility in Nagpur. He said the project would support advanced manufacturing sectors and strengthen India’s role in global supply chains.Box — Wainganga–Nalganga project to be game changer for VidarbhaReferring to the budget, the chief minister said Maharashtra received major allocations, including projects that would benefit Vidarbha. He highlighted the Wainganga–Nalganga irrigation project as a major initiative for which the govt allocated Rs 95,000 crore. “It’s the biggest river-linking project in our history. We gave administrative approval and its announcement was made in the budget,” he said, adding the project could significantly transform irrigation and agriculture in Vidarbha.Fadnavis also urged the media to avoid creating unnecessary panic among citizens over speculative reports on sensitive issues like shortage of LPG cylinders and an increase in fuel prices, saying the Centre was monitoring the situation and providing updates.
