Mumbai: Facing criticism that a large number of farmers will be excluded from its Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar farm loan waiver scheme, the state has set up three committees to oversee its implementation, including a cabinet sub-committee led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.The cabinet sub-committee will review the scheme and suggest changes to its eligibility criteria. The sub-committee also has to ensure that the scheme is implemented transparently, that eligible farmers are not deprived and that benefits are received without delay.A second committee has been set up under the chairmanship of the chief secretary to make amendments to the guidelines of the scheme for its effective implementation and to coordinate with all departments.A third committee has been given the role of negotiating with the banks and will be headed by the additional chief secretary (finance).The government had declared the farm loan waiver – the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karzamukti Yojana on June 2. The waiver amounting to Rs 36,585 crores is expected to benefit 55.7 lakh farmers.It covers short-term crop loans taken between April 1,2019 and March 31, 2025 and has three components: a debt-waiver, one time settlement and incentive benefits for those who have regularly serviced their loans. The waiver was among the promises on the Mahayuti government’s manifesto before the 2024 assembly polls.The GR on the formation of the committees was issued three days after NCP SP legislator Rohit Pawar called off his hunger strike demanding the scrapping of conditions attached to the waiver.
