Congress Demands Loan Waiver for Maharashtra Farmers Amidst Crisis

The Congress in Maharashtra has called on the state government to announce a comprehensive loan waiver for farmers, similar to the scheme in Telangana. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole accused the BJP-led government of neglecting farmers in favor of industrialists, highlighting the urgent need for support amidst severe economic and natural crises.

In a bid to address the growing agrarian crisis in Maharashtra, the Congress has demanded a blanket loan waiver for the state's farmers, paralleling measures taken in Telangana. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole criticized the BJP-led state and central governments for what he termed as anti-farmer policies that favor industrialists over cultivators.

Patole assured that the first move of an opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government would be to grant a loan waiver to farmers, emphasizing the severe economic and natural challenges currently besieging the agricultural community. He pointed to the low remunerative prices for agricultural produce, skyrocketing costs of farming inputs, and inadequate government support.

The Congress leader highlighted that over 1,700 farmers have committed suicide this year in Maharashtra. He condemned the current administration for failing to address these issues in recent budgets, despite multiple representations and rising farmer suicides, calling for an immediate and decisive action to alleviate farmers' distress.

(With inputs from agencies.)