Government to Cover Arrears for Closed and Active Irrigation Institutions: Ajit Pawar

If the entire arrears of principal of the closed and liquidated institutions; The government will pay half of the principal arrears of the ongoing sub-irrigation institutions – a decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Mumbai, July 24: The State Government will pay the outstanding principal amount of loans for closed and liquidated Cooperative Upsa Irrigation Institutions, while paying half of the principal arrears for functioning institutions. This decision follows the agreement that concerned District and Nationalized Banks will waive off the entire amount of interest arrears on these loans. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

This decision is set to benefit 40,245 members of 245 organizations across the state, both directly and indirectly, by allowing farmers to access new crop loans. The proposal for this initiative will be presented to the Cabinet for approval.

The meeting was held in response to the demand by local MLA Mansingrao Naik to waive off the outstanding loans of Cooperative Upsa Irrigation Institutions in Sangli district. Present at the meeting were Cooperation Minister Dilip Valse Patil, MLA Mansingrao Naik, Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning Department Rajgopal Deora, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department Saurabh Vijay, Joint Secretary of the Cooperation Department Santosh Patil, and other dignitaries. Cooperative Commissioner Deepak Taware from Pune and Sangli District Central Bank Managing Director Shivajirao Wagh participated via video conference.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar emphasized the importance of cooperative sub-irrigation schemes in the state’s agricultural development and noted the government’s support for these organizations over time. He acknowledged that while some institutions have closed or failed, many continue to positively impact farmers’ lives. To address the issue of bank arrears for these societies, the government will step in to cover the outstanding principal amounts following the waiver of interest by the banks. The proposal will be brought before the Cabinet for final approval, ensuring relief for the cooperative sub-irrigation societies and their members.