Nagpur, Oct 30 (NationPress) Former Minister and Prahar Sanghatana leader Bachchu Kadu has initiated a protest calling for an immediate farm loan waiver. On Thursday, he stated that financially stable farmers, those with government jobs, pensions, or who are business owners farming solely for investment and tax benefits, should be excluded from loan write-offs.

"With the advent of Digital India, it has become increasingly feasible for the government to ascertain the actual financial status of individuals. Therefore, it is imperative that the government swiftly identifies the farmers in need and grants them a loan waiver," Kadu remarked during a media interaction at the protest location.

This statement precedes Kadu's meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, scheduled for this evening in Mumbai, where he aims to discuss his list of demands.

While elaborating on his position regarding the farm loan waiver, Kadu, supported by various farmers' organizations at the protest, emphasized that all loans for both needy and affluent farmers should be forgiven immediately, unconditionally.

He proposed that all farmers, including those consistently repaying their loans, should receive a seven-year grace period.

Moreover, he argued that not only crop loans but also loans for poly houses, shade nets, land enhancements, and irrigation infrastructure should be included in the waiver.

Kadu reiterated that only the genuinely needy farmers should be identified for the loan waiver benefits, asserting that this identification could be accomplished in just five to ten minutes thanks to Digital India.

Additionally, he called for a 20 percent subsidy on the minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural products, a Rs 5 lakh subsidy for rural households based on urban criteria, and comprehensive coverage of all expenses from sowing to harvesting through the Maharashtra Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. He also demanded the cancellation of the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth highway.

He advocated for a monthly honorarium of Rs 6,000 for disabled individuals, destitute people, widows, women, and orphans, the creation of separate policies for shepherds and fishermen, and a permanent resolution to the salary issues of Gram Panchayat employees.

For the sugarcane sector in the year 2025-26, Kadu requested a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 4,300 per tonne for 9 percent recovery, plus Rs 430 for every additional percent recovered. He also urged the government to ensure that onion farmers receive a minimum price of Rs 40 per kg and to permanently abolish the export ban, minimum export price, and export tax on onions. Furthermore, he called for a minimum base rate of Rs 50 for cow's milk and Rs 65 for buffalo's milk, along with the implementation of FRP and revenue-sharing policies in the milk industry, as well as a robust policy to combat milk adulteration," he listed numerous demands.

Kadu asserted that many farmer leaders and organizations have joined the protest to convey that they are not alone. The gathering of farmers and their organizations in Nagpur serves as a unified appeal to avoid farmer suicides.

"We are hopeful for a resolution during the meeting with the Chief Minister this evening. Should we not find a solution, we will determine the future course of our protest upon returning to Nagpur," he announced.

On Wednesday, CM Fadnavis affirmed that the loan waiver for farmers is under review, clarifying that the government has never dismissed the possibility of writing off farm loans.