Pune: A day after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced in Pune that farm loans will be waived before June 30, the opposition and farmers’ outfits have called his words an eyewash.Fadnavis said that the state govt’s preparations for the farm loan waiver are in the final stage and the announcement will be made before June 30.The opposition claimed that the state govt should immediately roll out the waiver as farmers’ situation is already grim. Shiv Sena (UBT)’s senior member Ambadas Davne said, “Last year’s floods have caused huge losses to farmers and they do not have the money to invest for the kharif season. Even before govt rolls out the farm loan waiver, many farmers will have to seek another loan. Hence, the waiver will not be of any use to them.”Considering the ban on some exports due to the Iran War, the prices of many agricultural products have already crashed. Onion and sugar producers have already faced losses due to low prices in the domestic market. There have been several protest marches across the state.Farmers’ outfits have demanded that the state govt intervene and ensure that growers get reasonable prices for their produce. Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana founder Raju Shetti said the state govt has already delayed the announcement of farm loan waiver and farmers are already in distress.“Onion and sugar cane farmers are facing losses but govt is not making enough efforts to bring relief to the farming community. Along with the farm loan waiver, govt should also ensure that they get a good amount for their produce. If govt fails to support farmers when they need it the most, we will call for a statewide protest,” he added.
