India, Feb. 15 -- The Maharashtra government is likely to announce a farm loan waiver by June this year, agriculture minister Dattatray Bharne said on Saturday, offering fresh hope to farmers who have been demanding relief amid rising input costs and recurring climate-related losses.

Speaking to reporters in Indapur, Bharne said a committee appointed by the state government to study the feasibility and impact of a farm loan waiver is expected to submit its report by April. "Once the committee submits its report, the cabinet will deliberate on it and take an appropriate decision," he said.

Bharne said the government was sensitive to farmers' concerns. "This has been a long-standing demand. We will definitely take a decision in favour of ...