With drought conditions worsening across Maharashtra, the BJP government in the state is reviewing the option of rolling out a fresh financial assistance package for drought-hit farmers.
In June 2017, the Devendra Fadnavis government had rolled out a farm loan waiver scheme for writing off outstanding loans payable by June 30, 2016.
But with successive drought spells over the past two years, farmers’ leaders have been complaining that fresh credit has become a problem for a large section of marginal farmers in various parts of the state. In an election season, the Opposition, too, has raised the pitch for a new farm debt waiver package adding to the pressure on the state government.