Nueva Delhi: Maharashtra’s principal vice minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar, on Saturday addressed concerns about loans, making it clear that farmers must pay their harvest loans before March 31.
He admitted that electoral promises do not always translate into immediate actions and that future decisions will depend on current circumstances.
However, he assured that 0% interest loans would be available to relieve the loading of farmers.
“Whether Maharashtra Cm Devendra Fadnavis or Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, the approach remains to work for the welfare of the people. Recently, many citizens raised concerns about the promise of the electoral manifesto of the promise of loans. Taking into account the current circumstances, decisions will be made in the future.
When discussing the state’s financial commitments, Pawar highlighted the challenges of managing Maharashtra’s budget 7.20 Lakh Crore. He pointed out that giving up electricity bills only costs the government almost 65,000 million rupees. “What was said does not directly take action because when presenting a budget of RS 7.20 Lakh million rupees, electricity bills worth approximately 65,000 million rupees have been renounced, which means no, but we, the government, we have to pay it,” he said.
Pawar also described the financial burden of several well -being schemes, including RS 45,000 million rupees assigned for the Ladki Bahin Yoojana. In addition, RS 3.5 Lakh Crore is required for wages, pensions and interest payments of loans. “If we add RS 65,000 million rupees and RS 3.5 Lakh million rupees, almost 4.25 Lakh million rupees are already spent. The remaining funds must cover essential expenses such as school books, uniforms, electricity, water and roads,” he added.
Remembering his recent visit to Kolhapur, Pawar mentioned that his colleague Hasan Mushrif had urged him to address the issue of crop loan exemptions, since many farmers expected relief. “Yesterday, I was in Kolhapur, and even there, Hasan Mushrif asked me to decide quickly since people are not paying and wait … Therefore, we will make a decision after evaluating the situation. At this time, the conditions do not allow an exemption, so this year’s loans and next year must be paid,” Pawar said.
To support farmers, he reiterated that the State has organized interest loans of 0%, which covers the bank interest costs of 1,000 RS to RS 1.2 billion rupees. “I have gone to the banks,” he added.