Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana – 2017

To provide relief to farmers affected by natural calamities and to bring them back into the institutional credit system, the Government of Maharashtra announced the “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana 2017”. This historic decision has provided immense relief to lakhs of farmers who were pushed out of the banking system.

✨ Key Highlights and Historic Statistics

• ₹34,000 Crore Loan Waiver: Under this scheme, loans of approximately 89 lakh farmers worth an estimated ₹34,000 crore were waived — a historic decision.
• Clean 7/12 Records: Approximately 40 lakh farmers’ 7/12 land records are now completely clean due to this scheme.
• Blanket Loan Waiver: Farm loans up to ₹1.5 lakh (one and a half lakh) were waived outright.
• Direct Bank Credit: Farmers who regularly repaid their loans receive up to ₹25,000 as incentive directly into their bank accounts.
• Return to Credit System: Farmers who were pushed out of institutional credit due to defaulted loans now have a clear path to obtain fresh loans.

💰 Waiver Criteria and the Important Amendment of July 23, 2017

Initially, criteria were set through the Government Resolution of June 24, 2017, but a major farmer-friendly amendment was made in the Cabinet meeting on July 23, 2017:

• Interest Waiver until July 31, 2017: Under the revised decision, from the amount outstanding as of June 30, 2016, after deducting repayments made by the farmer, the remaining amount up to ₹1.5 lakh including principal and interest as of July 31, 2017 is eligible for waiver. In short, the government also bore the burden of interest accrued until July 31, 2017.
• One-Time Settlement (OTS): For farmers whose dues exceed ₹1.5 lakh, if they deposit their share of the amount above ₹1.5 lakh in the bank, the government will provide the benefit of ₹1.5 lakh.

🏆 Incentive Benefits for Regular Repayers

• Farmers who fully repaid their 2015-16 crop loan by June 30, 2016, and their 2016-17 loan by June 30, 2017, will receive 25% of the 2015-16 loan amount or a maximum of ₹25,000 (whichever is less).
• The minimum incentive amount will be ₹15,000. If the repaid amount is less than ₹15,000, the full amount will be paid by the government.

📋 ‘Farmer Family’ Criteria and Other Conditions

• The criterion of “Farmer Family” applies, which includes husband, wife, and children below 18 years.
• If there is a ‘female farmer borrower’ in the family, her loan will be considered on priority.
• No land-holding criteria (small/marginal farmer) has been applied; all eligible farmers receive the benefit outright.

🚫 Ineligibility: Who Cannot Avail the Benefit?

• Current/former Ministers, Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha), and Members of Legislative Assembly/Council.
• Members of Zilla Parishad and Municipal Corporation.
• Officers/employees of Central and State Government, Semi-Government organizations (excluding Class IV employees).
• Persons paying Income Tax from non-agricultural income.
• Persons receiving pension of more than ₹15,000 per month (excluding ex-servicemen).
• Business persons with gross income over ₹3 lakh registered for Service Tax / VAT.

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For more information and accurate updates on all Maharashtra Government farmer schemes, visit Mahitimarg.in regularly.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the maximum loan waiver under this scheme? Under this scheme, farm loans up to ₹1.5 lakh (including principal and interest) are waived outright.

2. Will I get benefit if my outstanding is more than ₹1.5 lakh? Yes, the government has introduced a ‘One Time Settlement (OTS)’ for such farmers. If your loan exceeds ₹1.5 lakh and you deposit your share of the remaining amount above ₹1.5 lakh in the bank, the government will provide the ₹1.5 lakh loan waiver.

3. Who receives the ₹25,000 incentive grant? Farmers who regularly and timely repay their crop loans receive an incentive grant of 25% of their loan amount or up to ₹25,000 directly in their bank account.

4. Will this loan waiver actually clean farmers’ 7/12 records? Yes, due to this historic decision and the blanket waiver up to ₹1.5 lakh, the 7/12 land records of approximately 40 lakh farmers will be completely cleaned.

5. Is there any land-holding criteria in this scheme? No, no land area criteria (small/marginal holder) has been applied. All eligible farmers receive the benefit outright.

6. Can salaried persons avail this scheme? No. Officers and employees of Central and State Government as well as semi-government organizations (except Class IV employees) are ineligible. Also, persons paying Income Tax from non-agricultural income cannot avail this benefit.