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Farmers in Mumbai? Yes, says Maha govt, sanctions Rs 390 crore loan waiver

The quantum of waiver for these urban farmers is about Rs 390 crore, or just over one per cent of the Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver package.

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As incongruous as it might sound, 813 farmers, including some tribal farmers, in the concrete jungle of Mumbai have been chosen for the Maharashtra government's farm loan waiver that will relieve the debt burden of some 36.10 lakh farmers across the state.

The quantum of waiver for these urban farmers is about Rs 390 crore, or just over one per cent of the Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver package.

The numbers seem to have taken even the state administration by surprise. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confessed he was surprised by the information. "But we will check all criteria, then only the farmers from Mumbai will get the benefit of the loan waiver scheme," he said.

State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant scoffed at the numbers, saying it is well-known that there is no agricultural land in Mumbai. "We wish to know which these farmers to whom the agriculture loan was given and subsequently waived off," he demanded.

SS Sandhu, additional chief secretary, co-operation and marketing, said the department would closely examine who these Mumbai farmers are before giving them loan waiver benefits.

"The proposed list of 36 lakh farmers for crop loan waiver up to Rs 1.5 lakh is provided by the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC). The list also shows around 813 farmers from Mumbai and Mumbai suburban districts," Sandhu said.

"This is the preliminary list of prospective beneficiaries as compiled by the SLBC. The SLBC compiled the list on the basis of information provided by the concerned banks.

However it is yet to be verified by the Government," he added.

Another senior government official said that as per the data provided by banks, these loans were primarily given by commercial banks. "These consist largely of term loans given for food and Agro-processing, floriculture, fisheries, dairy activities etc. Some of these also include the loans disbursed by the local banks to the people having their agriculture or other ventures outside the city limits," this official said, on condition of anonymity.

Term loans are typically for the short term, or five years, and mid-term, or seven years.

"The government will verify that the benefit will be extended only to farmers and those who meet the criteria," he added.

At least one BJP minister put the blame for the confusion squarely at the CM"s door. "The statement of Chief Minister Fadnavis created the confusion on Tuesday. CM should not be in hurry to publish the district-wise beneficiaries' list on Tweeter…. He should get the proper brief from the concerned department officials, (and) then only share the information with the media," this minister said, who also asked not to be named.

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