Rohit Pawar blames govt for deceiving farmers, starts Marathwada tour from today
Kolhapur: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar will hit the streets from Thursday with a tour of Marathwada over the state govt’s failure to keep its promise of holding a meeting with the farmers regarding unconditional farm loan waiver.The move follows a previous hunger strike by Pawar in Pandharpur, which end
By Abhijeet Patil
Kolhapur: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar will hit the streets from Thursday with a tour of Marathwada over the state govt’s failure to keep its promise of holding a meeting with the farmers regarding unconditional farm loan waiver.The move follows a previous hunger strike by Pawar in Pandharpur, which ended on its third day after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis promised a meeting with a delegation of opposition and farmer leaders before the start of the monsoon session.
However, with the session now underway and no invitation forthcoming, Pawar has accused the govt of “deceiving” the farming community.
Instead of a meeting, the govt has set up three panels to implement amendments to the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana 2026.Pawar and other opposition leaders have raised strong objections to the terms of the 2026 plan.
They have opposed the clause which states that those who benefited from the 2019 waiver will only receive up to Rs50,000, and those eligible for the Rs2 lakh waiver must repay the entire excess amount out-of-pocket.“The promise to call a meeting has not been kept.
The government has deceived our farmers,” Pawar said after arriving in Pandharpur. “We believe there has been enough talk.
It is time for direct action on the streets until our demands are met.”Pawar will also tour Dharashiv, Latur, and Nanded.
He will continue through other districts of Marathwada until June 28, concluding in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on June 29. “The govt still has time to announce an unconditional farm loan waiver.
If they don’t, we will carry out a massive Rasta Roko in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar,” Pawar warned.On the assembly floor, senior NCP (SP) MLA Jayant Patil echoed these sentiments, noting that the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had increased the loan waiver limit to Rs2 lakh. “The current 2026 scheme is nothing new; it is riddled with restrictive terms and conditions.
It looks more like a recovery scheme to help banks than a relief measure for farmers,” Patil said.
He urged the state to prioritise farmers even if it meant increasing the state debt by Rs30,000 crore.Clear loan repayment for 2025-26 by June-end: Hasan MushrifMedical education minister and senior NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Hasan Mushrif urged farmers to ensure their repayments are up to date.
Mushrif, who also chairs the Kolhapur District Central Cooperative Bank, stated that farmers are only eligible for a Rs50,000 incentive if they have no outstanding dues for the 2025-26 period by June 30.“To encourage regular repayment, the scheme offers a Rs50,000 incentive to those who have paid their dues for two out of the three years prior to 2025.
However, this does not cover loans taken during 2025-26.
To benefit, farmers must clear their 2025-26 dues by the end of this month,” Mushrif said.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in KolhapurStay updated with the latest Kolhapur news.
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