The disbursal of money for the loan-waiver scheme for farmers of Maharashtra would begin on Wednesday.
"From tomorrow, we are starting the disbursal for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krishi Samman Yojana," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters on Tuesday, during the customary Diwali luncheon meeting at Varsha, his official residence.
While admitting that it would add to the burden of the state exchequer, Fadnavis made it clear that providing relief to the farmers is amongst the top priority for his government.
"In the next 25 to 30 days, we will clear nearly 80% of the disbursal," he said, adding that there are nearly 55 to 60 lakh applicants.
"We have a software in place, the software has been tested through dry runs and we have quite an adequate database," said Fadnavis, who completes three years as the chief minister this month-end.
As far as reports of farmers from Mumbai applying for the scheme, Fadnavis said that a probe is underway and only those who are genuine and eligible will be considered.
