Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday reiterated that a farm loan waiver scheme would be implemented before June 30, as he defended the recent fuel price hike during a public address in Satara.
Meanwhile, several leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — including Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, state BJP president Ravindra Chavan, and Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar — reduced the number of vehicles in their convoys as part of austerity measures.
Fuel hiked only after US-Iran war
Fadnavis defended the fuel price hike, saying prices in the US have risen by 51 per cent, in Singapore by 30 per cent, and in Pakistan by 200 per cent. In contrast, he said, fuel prices in India have increased by only 3.5 per cent under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. “The increase was introduced only after the recent conflict between the US and Iran led to a sharp rise in global crude oil prices,” he said, as he urged citizens to stand united for nation-building.
BJP leaders back austerity call
Following PM Modi’s appeal for austerity measures, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule reduced his convoy to a single vehicle, while Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar, and BJP state president Ravindra Chavan scaled down their convoys to two vehicles each, including their security vehicles.
Farm loan waiver countdown
Fadnavis asserted that the Maharashtra government’s farm loan waiver scheme will be implemented by June 30. The scheme, announced during the March budget session, is expected to benefit lakhs of farmers. Defaulting farmers will receive a waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh, while regular borrowers will get R50,000 as an incentive. Around 30 lakh farmers are likely to qualify, with the eligibility cut-off date set as September 30, 2025.
