Maharashtra cabinet eases Ahilyadevi Holkar farm loan waiver norms

Mumbai, Jul 14 (PTI) The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved significant changes to the latest loan waiver scheme, removing key eligibility conditions, including the previous Rs 50,000 upper limit applicable for the beneficiaries of the 2019 waiver. It also scrapped the condition of regular loan repayment during 2026-27, making nearly 23 lakh farmers eligible for incentive benefits under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana 2026 (PAHSKY). A cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, cleared the establishment of an international-standard agricultural market in Palghar district and an asset monetisation policy for urban local bodies, according to an official release. Approving significant changes to the PAHSKY, the cabinet decided to remove the earlier Rs 50,000 ceiling applicable to around 13 lakh farmers under the 2019 farm loan waiver scheme, enabling them to receive the incentive for regular loan repayment without the earlier cap. In another major decision, the cabinet cleared the transfer of 558.43 hectares of land belonging to the Dapchari Dairy Project in Dahanu taluka of Palghar district to the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board for setting up an international-standard agricultural market along with modern agricultural marketing infrastructure. The project is expected to benefit farmers from Palghar, Thane and adjoining areas. The cabinet also approved an asset monetisation policy for properties owned by urban local bodies, including municipal corporations, councils and nagar panchayats, to help civic bodies generate additional revenue through planned commercial utilisation of their assets. It further approved the implementation of the Centre-sponsored Urban Challenge Fund, which will enable cities to access market-based financing for quality urban infrastructure projects. Among other decisions, the cabinet sanctioned Rs 24.95 crore for upgrading the Beed district sports complex, including a synthetic athletics track, football and hockey grounds, indoor sports facilities, hostel expansion and rainwater harvesting works. The cabinet doubled financial assistance under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 for released and probationary prisoners and extended the scheme to persons acquitted by courts. It also approved the development of surplus land owned by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) across the state through the public-private partnership (PPP) model and cleared amendments to the Maharashtra Minor Mineral Extraction (Development and Regulation) Rules, 2013. PTI MR NSK