‘Poll Promises Don’t Translate Into…’: Ajit Pawar’s Remark On Farmer Loan Waiver Stirs Debate, Shinde Responds

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar emphasised the government's focus on people's welfare, acknowledging concerns about loan waivers. Shiv Sena leader Ambadas Danve criticisied the government for failing to fulfill its promise, resulting in increased financial burden on farmers.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

Source : ANI

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on that the focus remains on working for the welfare of the people, whether it's for Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis or Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Speaking in Pune, Pawar said that many citizens recently raised concerns about the election manifesto’s promise of loan waivers.

“As of March 28, I want to clearly inform the people of Maharashtra through this program to repay their crop loans by March 31. Promises made during elections don’t always translate directly into actions…,” he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde said the government will fulfil all promises made in the election manifesto, a day after his cabinet colleague Ajit Pawar's 'farmers need not wait for a crop loan waiver' statement caused a flutter. He also called for maintaining balance in the state finances, adding that funds should be available for welfare schemes, development, and employees' salaries.

Amid the comments by Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Dance accused Mahayuti allies of misleading farmers during elections and said that the state government’s inability to waive crop loans will increase the financial burden on the poor agriculturists. He was reacting to Finance Minister Ajit Pawar's statement on the state's inability to grant the waiver considering the current financial situation. Pawar has appealed to farmers to pay loan instalments in time.

"Mahayuti allies had promised to waive crop loans if voted to power (during assembly elections). Now they have gone back on their poll promise," the Leader of the Opposition in the legislative council told reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

He said farmers believed in the loan waiver assurance and didn't pay instalments for the past 5-6 months. "Due to non-payment of instalments, the interest burden is growing. Suicides by farmers are not abated”.

"The Union Government can write off loans worth thousands of crores incurred by Adani, but it cannot fulfil the promise to waive farmers' loans. This government is interested in tenders only," Danve said.

He claimed the government was forced to pay more for development works and make purchases due to the rising costs of tenders.

"While the public money is being looted, the government is not waiving farmers' debt," Danve said.