Farm loan waiver before June 30, unlikely to be affected by code of conduct for MLC polls in Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated on Thursday that the farm loan waiver promised by the government would be announced before June 30 and the Model Code of Conduct for the MLC polls in the state is unlikely to have an impact. The code is currently in force for the elections which are due on June 18 in the constituencies concerned and will last till June 25.

“We announced the farm loan waiver much before the MLC polls were due. In addition, the voters for the polls and legislators are not beneficiaries of the waiver. Therefore, I do not think there will be a problem. If need be, we will consult the Chief Electoral Officer,” said Fadnavis after a review meeting of the upcoming kharif season.

He said that most farmers sought fresh crop loans in July and the timing of the waiver would be beneficial to them. “We have spoken to banks and told them that once the loan waiver is announced, they should grant it once our list of beneficiaries is finalised. They need not wait for the state’s funds to reach the banks,” added Fadnavis.

The CM also said that the El Nino effect is likely to result in the state’s rainfall being just 88% of the long-term average and the state had prepared a plan to combat its effects.

Western Vidarbha, Marathwada and parts of north Maharashtra are expected to be worst affected. “There is likely to be a descending graph of rain from June to September. Also there is likely to be a gap between two spells of rain. The distribution will vary among districts and each district has been asked to prepare a plan to combat El Nino,” said Fadnavis.

“This year’s Kharif season is likely to be challenging due to El Nino conditions, changing climate patterns and the global fertiliser situation. But through timely crop loans, proper fertiliser management and the use of modern technology the state government is committed to overcoming these challenges,” Fadnavis said. He also said that work under the state’s Jalyukta Shivar water conservation scheme should be expedited in order to cater to water scarce regions.

Fadnavis also said nationalised banks have been directed to meet crop credit disbursal targets and avoid delays in lending to farmers. “Nationalised banks account for only 26% of crop loans while cooperative banks and rural banks account for 67%. We have directed nationalised banks to meet 80% of their crop loan targets,” said the CM.