Maharashtra: Over 100 farmers seeking loan waiver have same Aadhaar number

Maharashtra government’s attempt of online registration to waive off loans has sent the state’s authorities into a stew as more than 100 farmers have been found linked to a single Aadhaar number.

The  Maharashtra government earlier had stressed on online registration mandatory with Aadhaar number mandatory for farmers, who were looking forward for loan waiver.

The government had initiated the online registration process believing the Aadhaar linking would avoid duplication and prevent fake accounts from getting the benefits.

According to a senior official from the Maharashtra cooperation department more than 100 beneficiaries of farmers have a common Aadhaar number has become a cause of concern for the government.

The official said, “Aadhaar number was always believed to be a key to check fake beneficiaries. But, now, we don't know how to address this challenge as so many farmers have the same Aadhaar number.”

“Manual check will take several weeks,” added the official.

An urgent meeting has been called by Devedra Fednavis with bankers on Wednesday to address the issue.

The official added that the data admitted by some banks online varies their records. In some cases names of farmers are missing or do not match the land size or type of loan.

The Maharashtra government last week had released a sum of Rs 4000 crore  under first phase of over Rs 34000 crore farm loan waiver scheme.

Also read|Farmer deaths: MNS workers vandalise Yavatmal agriculture office

The BJP-led Central government earlier this year made Aadhaar mandatory for availing crop insurance policies.

(With PTI inputs)