India, March 30 -- It was one of the Mahayuti alliance's major election promises, which is why state finance minister Ajit Pawar's words hit hard when he announced that the state would not be waiving loans taken by farmers any time soon.

Pawar, who is also deputy chief minister, added the state government is not in a position to waive farm loans for the next two years, and insisted that farmers repay pending loans within the stipulated deadline. His words cut deeper, backed as they were by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. "Whatever stand is taken by Ajitdada is the stand of the state government," Fadnavis said on Saturday. He reminded farmers that Pawar had not altogether cancelled the waiver.

Pawar, who has been voicing concern over t...