Maharashtra writes off loans of 4.15 lakh more farmers in fourth list before Diwali

The pace of loan waivers for eligible farmers has picked up under the state government's Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme 2026. The third list was officially released on October 12, 2026. A fourth list has now followed, waiving the loans of 4.15 lakh farmers. This means that many more farmers will get the scheme's benefit before Diwali, and their list has also been released.

The earlier third list covered 3,51,192 farmers in the state. The fourth list, coming before Diwali, brings relief to farmers with outstanding loans. The Cooperation Department has sent the Finance Department a proposal of Rs 4,000 crore to waive the loans of these 4.15 lakh farmers.

So far the state government has waived the loans of 15,85,493 of 25 lakh farmers. Farmers in Marathwada have benefited the most from the scheme, with 6.27 lakh receiving relief. The government has so far deposited Rs 13,275 crore in farmers' accounts for the loan waiver.

Farmers who have completed KYC but have not yet received the waiver money will be helped before Diwali. According to sources, the KYC of 4.82 lakh farmers is still pending. Meanwhile, farmers are distressed by drought. This year there is no rain, no water, no crop and no season in the fields, and conditions are bad. Farmers are demanding that the government stand by them. It is against this background that the government has released the fourth list.

The government had asked all eligible farmers to check the outstanding balance on their loan accounts and complete Aadhaar authentication at the nearest "Aapke Seva Kendra" as soon as possible, so that they can get the benefit of the loan waiver.

Under the scheme's rules, crop loans disbursed between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2025, outstanding on September 30, 2025 and unpaid as of March 31, 2026 are covered. Outstanding crop loans of up to Rs 2 lakh, along with restructured and re-restructured loans, are getting a full waiver. Interest and other charges from April 1, 2026 onwards will be waived entirely.

The government has also announced relief for drought-hit farmers. It has been decided to give advance drought assistance of Rs 5,000 each to 1.50 crore farmers. The money is expected to reach farmers' accounts this week. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued the orders. According to sources, the total expenditure will be Rs 7,500 crore, and the decision was taken at today's Cabinet meeting. The Chief Minister has also directed that banks be given clear instructions that no bank may deduct this amount against farmers' loans.

At the Cabinet meeting, ministers also took the position that cases should be registered against finance companies that pursue indebted farmers for recovery. Ministers expressed anger over the high-handedness of finance companies. According to information, the Chief Minister has also directed that cases be registered directly for pressing for money from farmers who are in distress in drought-like conditions.