Group of ministers start talks on farm loan waiver criteria
As part of this endeavour, Mr Patil has started meeting political leaders.
Mumbai: As declared on Sunday, a ministerial group has started deliberations with state political leaders and experts on the criteria for waiver of farmers’ loans.
The group, helmed by revenue minister Chandrakant Patil, met NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Ashok Chavan on Monday evening. It will meet Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday.
To placate agitating farmers and control the situation on ground, the Maharashtra government on Sunday declared waiver of farmers’ loans. However, to decide the criteria as to exactly who will be the beneficiaries of this decision, the government will form a committee of farmer leaders and secretaries. As part of this endeavour, Mr Patil has started meeting political leaders.
Mr Thackeray, who was in London vacationing with his family, through an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, claimed that the BJP-led government gave relief to farmers only after Sena put pressure on it. Mr Patil said, “I will meet Mr Thackeray and discuss the decision. The government will try to accommodate his views in this historic decision.”
About his meeting with Mr Pawar, Mr Patil said, “All his doubts about the announcement are cleared now. It will be a waiver for all. All needy and poor farmers will get the benefit of this decision.”
Post Mr Patil’s meeting with Mr Chavan, the latter has called a meeting of senior leaders of the party on Wednesday. “We will discuss the government decision in detail and take an unanimous decision. We will also decide on the future course of action,” said Mr Chavan.