Maharashtra Farm Loan Waiver Payout to Begin in Two Days

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has announced that the long-awaited farm loan waiver amount will begin reaching the bank accounts of eligible farmers within the next two days after technical issues delayed the disbursement process.

Follow MahaENews-X on: Follow MahaENews on Instagram

The loan waiver programme had entered its final stage, and the government had initially assured that payments would begin within two days. However, technical problems postponed the rollout, despite an earlier plan to start transfers from August 4.

State Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane said the technical issues are being resolved on priority and that eligible farmers will soon start receiving the loan waiver amount directly in their bank accounts. The scheme is expected to benefit nearly 5.6 million (56 lakh) farmers across Maharashtra.

Phased Disbursement Plan

The government will release the loan waiver in phases. Farmers eligible for smaller amounts will receive payments in the first phase, while larger beneficiaries will be covered in the second phase.

Authorities are also carrying out the e-KYC verification process on a war footing. So far, around 1.2 million (12 lakh) farmers have completed e-KYC, making them eligible for payment once the transfer process begins.

Three Beneficiary Lists to Be Released

The government will publish three separate beneficiary lists under the loan waiver scheme. Farmers whose names do not appear in the first list have been urged to remain patient, as additional lists will follow.

More than 1.7 million (17 lakh) eligible farmers have already been included in the published lists. Once a farmer’s name appears, Aadhaar authentication is mandatory before the loan waiver amount can be credited.

Some Farmers Declared Ineligible

Officials said the scheme is intended to support financially distressed farmers. Around 96,000 taxpayer farmers and nearly 1.5 lakh other ineligible applicants have been excluded from the scheme and will not receive any financial assistance.

Government Warns Fertiliser Dealers

Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane also addressed complaints that some fertiliser dealers were allegedly forcing farmers to purchase non-subsidised fertilisers along with urea.

The state government has issued a circular warning that strict action will be taken against dealers found engaging in such unfair trade practices.