Overview

• Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil said people have become obsessed with loan waivers and acknowledged politicians make such promises to win elections.
• Following criticism from ruling allies and the opposition, Patil issued an apology, saying he did not intend to hurt sentiments and noting he is also a farmer.
• BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule urged restraint on public comments about loan waivers, reiterating that relief for eligible farmers is in the Mahayuti manifesto.
• Bawankule said a survey is underway across Maharashtra to determine who qualifies for any loan waiver and that a decision would follow its completion.
• September floods devastated crops on roughly 68.69 lakh hectares, and the state this week announced Rs 31,628 crore in compensation as opposition parties press for a full waiver.