A high-powered committee has been established by the Maharashtra government to formulate long-term strategies aimed at lifting farmers out of chronic debt. The announcement was made on the final day of the monsoon session, and the committee is being chaired by former chief secretary Praveen Pardeshi.
The committee’s formation was confirmed by Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, who stated that the group had been tasked with identifying both short- and long-term measures to reduce agricultural indebtedness. It was indicated that a primary objective would be the study of structural causes behind persistent financial distress in farming communities. Rather than relying on periodic loan waivers, sustainable solutions were said to be the government’s focus.
Kokate had mentioned that frequent losses due to hailstorms, irregular rainfall, and other natural disasters often led farmers into a debt trap, from which banks later refused to extend fresh credit. The committee’s formation was presented as an effort to disrupt this recurring pattern. It was also stated that the duration and membership of the panel would be finalized after consultation with the appointed chairman. Despite this, the announcement was met with skepticism and political pushback. Speculation was raised over whether the committee’s establishment hinted at an upcoming loan waiver. Opposition leaders criticized the move, suggesting it was being used to delay substantial action.
Statements were made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who argued that loan waivers had been declared in the past without reliance on committees. Ambadas Danve, the opposition leader in the Legislative Council, questioned the necessity of another study when a previous report by the Sunil Kendrekar Committee had already been submitted. Jayant Patil of NCP (SP) accused the government of attempting to pacify farmers with symbolic acts rather than meaningful policy. In defense of the move, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that repeated loan waivers were not financially viable and could not be issued every five years. He emphasized that the current effort was being made to find permanent solutions.
The backdrop to this announcement has been a deeply troubling rise in farmer suicides. Between January and April 2025, 869 such cases were reported across Maharashtra. These figures, cited by Danve, were attributed to poor compensation mechanisms, crop losses, and the denial of adequate prices for produce. Long-standing struggles in regions like Vidarbha and Marathwada have been characterized by unpredictable weather, lack of institutional support, and reliance on informal credit, leading many farmers into inescapable debt.