Cong slams Maha govt for 'reducing' farm loan repayment amount

The Maharashtra Congress today criticised the BJP-led state government claiming it has reduced the amount it initially announced for repayment of farmers' loans taken from private money lenders.
Initially the government had announced Rs 377 crore for the purpose but that has been cut down to Rs 46.66 crore, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Sachin Sawant said citing an RTI reply.
"Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced, on the floor of the House, that around 50 per cent farmers commit suicide as they cannot repay loans taken from private moneylenders. He had announced Rs 377 crore for the purpose," Sawant said.

According to initial government estimate, after the CM's announcement, Rs 604.88 crore were required to pay off farmers' loans, he added.
"Initial estimate said the money would be required to be paid to 4,899 money lenders, which would free 5,84,556 people from debt. However, the state administration later developed cold feet and cut down the numbers after coming to conclusion only Rs 46.66 cr are required to repay," he said.
Sawant said that out of Rs 46.66 cr, the government has so far disbursed only Rs 19.55 crore to private money lenders.
"The government has only decided to pay 12.5 per cent of Rs 377 crore that the CM promised, which shows that they are not trustworthy," he said.

"The facts revealed under RTI only show the government may make big announcements, but when it comes to working on ground, it develops cold feet," Sawant said.