Farmers get ₹5,000 crore waiver, but opposition claims half are left out

On August 7, 2026, Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, announced the transfer of over ₹5,000 crore to the bank accounts of 6.22 lakh farmers under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Farm Loan Waiver Scheme after Aadhaar authentication. The scheme waives short-term crop loans up to ₹2 lakh taken between 2019 and 2025. Opposition parties criticize restrictive eligibility rules, alleging exclusion of more than half of distressed farmers. Fadnavis also discussed preparations for the Nashik Kumbh Mela, including infrastructure works and tar shortages due to war.