India, April 27 -- Around 35-40 lakh farmers in Maharashtra are expected to benefit from the state government's farm loan waiver scheme, which will cost the exchequer about Rs.27,000 crore, according to a panel report submitted to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last week.

The committee, headed by Praveen Pardeshi, was set up in October 2025 after protests by Prahar Janshakti leader Bachu Kadu demanding a waiver.

Announced in the 2026-27 budget, the scheme provides relief of up to Rs.2 lakh on overdue crop loans till September 30, 2025, and offers incentives of up to Rs.50,000 for timely repayment. The loan waiver scheme was named as Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Farmer Debt Waiver Scheme.

The committee has also recommended long-term m...