Maharashtra government’s decision to waive farmers’ loans by June 30 next year is unacceptable: Uddhav Thackeray

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said that the June 30, 2026, date set by the state government for a decision on farm loan waivers is “unacceptable.” While interacting with farmers in a village here on Wednesday, Uddhav said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should clarify whether farmers will have to continue paying their installments if the government plans to waive loans. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief began his four-day Marathwada tour on Wednesday from Nandar village in the Paithan taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where he interacted with farmers. He will also visit Pali (Beed), Pathrud, Shirsav (Dharashiv), and Ghari (Solapur) villages later in the day. Chief Minister Fadnavis announced last week that a decision on farm loan waivers would be taken by June 30th of next year. Fadnavis stated that it was important to first ensure that farmers receive compensation for flood relief and also to prepare for Rabi sowing. Criticizing the government for the deadline on farm loan waivers, Thackeray said, “This date is not acceptable to us. We are demanding Rs 50,000 per hectare as compensation for farmers’ losses. Farmers now also need loan waivers. The government says it wants to study the issue.” The former Chief Minister said, “Earlier, during my government, we conducted a study, and the details are still with the government. Our government waived the loans then.” He added that the state government has now set a new date of June 30th, 2026, for loan waivers. Thackeray asked, “If the loan waiver is going to happen in June next year, should farmers pay their installments now or not? If so, how will farmers pay this amount?” Thackeray demanded that farmers should be granted loan waiver now.