Nagpur: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced what he described as ‘one of the biggest farm loan waiver measures in the history of Maharashtra’, saying the state has removed the 50,000 eligibility condition under the farm loan waiver scheme to bring a larger number of farmers within its ambit.“The decision was taken after legislators urged the govt to extend the waiver,” Fadnavis said, adding detailed guidelines would be announced soon. He said the move resolved several pending concerns over the scheme’s implementation and would benefit more eligible farmers across the state.Addressing farmers, Fadnavis urged them to follow scientific advisories during the ongoing kharif season, warning this year’s monsoon is expected to witness intermittent rainfall with gaps between spells.“There will be gaps between spells of rainfall, farmers are advised to choose delayed sowing,” he said, encouraging cultivators with access to wells, irrigation facilities to adopt protective irrigation to safeguard crops.Referring to widespread soyabean crop losses, the chief minister said the govt detected poor-quality seeds supplied by certain companies. Of nearly 5,000 seed samples tested, around 300 failed quality standards.“Action ranging from cancellation of licences to criminal proceedings will be taken against those found responsible,” he said.Fadnavis also highlighted the construction of India’s largest Agro Convention Centre at Nagpur’s Panjabrao Deshmukh International Exhibition and Convention Centre by Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC). He said the facility, featuring the country’s largest column-free exhibition hall, would strengthen Nagpur’s position as a major venue for agricultural exhibitions, conventions and farmer training programmes. The project is being developed on 21.7 ha of land belonging to Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth near Dabha. Designed as a modern convention complex, it will include landscaped spaces, fountains, conference and seminar halls, board rooms, dining facilities and dedicated parking for 2-wheelers, 4-wheelers and buses. A key attraction will be a state-of-the-art 2,000-seat auditorium, expected to be among India’s largest.
