Maharashtra Transfers ₹5,028 Crore To 6.22 Lakh Farmers In First Phase Of Loan Waiver Scheme

Highlights: Maharashtra has started distributing benefits under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme, providing major financial relief to thousands of farmers across the state.

The Maharashtra government has transferred ₹5,028 crore directly into the loan accounts of 6.22 lakh eligible farmers under the first phase of its farmer loan waiver program.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the first phase of the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme through an online event at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai. The initiative is aimed at reducing the financial pressure on eligible farmers and helping them continue agricultural activities with better access to credit.

₹5,028 Crore Directly Transferred To Farmers

The first phase covers 6.22 lakh farmers, with ₹5,028 crore transferred directly to their loan accounts.

The government said the payments were made for farmers whose Aadhaar authentication has been completed. The direct transfer system is intended to make the process faster, more transparent and easier for beneficiaries.

Fadnavis said the government is committed to ensuring that every eligible farmer receives the benefit. Farmers whose verification is still pending will be covered once their Aadhaar authentication is completed.

Fresh Kharif Loans Ordered For Beneficiaries

Along with the loan waiver, the Maharashtra government has asked banks to provide fresh kharif crop loans to eligible beneficiaries.

The move is important because farmers need timely working capital to purchase seeds, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs during the ongoing farming season.

By restoring access to institutional credit, the government hopes farmers can continue their seasonal agricultural activities without facing additional financial pressure.

Loan Waiver Process Is Fully Online

One of the key features of the scheme is its online and paperless implementation.

Farmers are not required to submit separate applications for the loan waiver. Banks have uploaded eligible beneficiary information on a portal developed by MahaIT.

The beneficiary lists are also being displayed at:

• Gram panchayat offices
• Cooperative societies
• Bank branches

Farmers are required to complete registration on the AgriStack platform and undergo Aadhaar authentication through Seva Kendras using their unique identification number.

This digital process is designed to reduce paperwork and help eligible farmers receive financial assistance more quickly.

Aadhaar Verification Will Trigger Automatic Payment

The state government has said that the remaining eligible farmers will receive their benefits after completing Aadhaar verification.

Fadnavis explained that the system has been designed to enable quick transfers once authenticated data becomes available. According to the government, once verification is completed, the payment process can move forward automatically.

This approach could help reduce delays and give farmers greater clarity about the status of their benefits.

Nearly 32 Lakh Loan Accounts Uploaded

The Cooperation Department has made significant progress in preparing beneficiary data for the scheme.

According to Cooperation Department Principal Secretary Praveen Darade, a total of 53 banks have uploaded nearly 32 lakh loan accounts to the MahaIT portal.

The participating institutions include:

• 30 District Central Cooperative Banks
• 12 nationalized banks
• Private-sector banks
• Other participating financial institutions

As of August 6, Aadhaar authentication had been completed for approximately 12.10 lakh loan accounts.

The data will support both the loan waiver and the one-time settlement components of the scheme.

Amravati Gets The Largest First-Phase Allocation

The first phase has covered farmers across all major divisions of Maharashtra, with Amravati receiving the highest allocation.

The regional distribution is as follows:

Division	Farmers Covered	Amount Transferred
Amravati	1.58 lakh	₹1,372.17 crore
Nashik	1.40 lakh	₹1,209.39 crore
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar	1.30 lakh	₹932.61 crore
Pune	1.04 lakh	₹860.97 crore
Nagpur	70,290	₹544.71 crore
Konkan	18,687	₹108.86 crore

The figures show that the scheme has reached farmers across both major agricultural regions and areas with a smaller farming population.

Government Targets Faster Resolution Of Pending Cases

The Maharashtra government has also focused on resolving cases where beneficiaries face verification or other administrative issues.

Chief Minister Fadnavis has instructed guardian ministers to identify problems at the district level and report pending cases. These matters can then be reviewed by the Cabinet sub-committee for appropriate decisions.

The government has emphasized that eligible farmers should not be left out because of avoidable administrative delays.

Digital System Could Make Farmer Support Faster

The first phase of the Maharashtra farmer loan waiver scheme highlights the state's growing use of digital systems to deliver government benefits.

The combination of bank-uploaded data, AgriStack registration and Aadhaar authentication creates a system where beneficiary identification and payment can be handled electronically.

For farmers, the biggest benefit could be faster access to financial relief and renewed eligibility for crop credit. For the government, the digital approach can improve transparency and make it easier to track the progress of the scheme.

Maharashtra Loan Waiver Scheme Moves Into Next Phase

With ₹5,028 crore already transferred to 6.22 lakh farmers, Maharashtra has completed a major first step in implementing the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme.

The government is now expected to focus on completing Aadhaar authentication for remaining eligible accounts and resolving cases that require additional verification.

The decision to link loan relief with fresh kharif credit also gives the program a broader purpose. Beyond reducing existing debt, it aims to help farmers maintain access to institutional finance and continue their agricultural activities.

As more authenticated accounts are processed, the scheme could provide additional financial support to farmers across Maharashtra in the coming phases.