Moved by a widely circulated video showing 75-year-old Ambadas Pawar, a debt-ridden farmer from Hadolti village in Latur, Maharashtra, manually pulling a plough to cultivate his field, state cooperation minister Babasaheb Patil has cleared his outstanding loan of Rs 42,500.
The poignant video had garnered significant public sympathy, depicting Pawar dragging a plough on dry land with his wife by his side, as they could not afford to hire oxen or a tractor.
After seeing the distressing visual, Minister Patil visited Pawar, promising to settle his pending crop loan with the Hadolti Multi-purpose Cooperative Society.
On Saturday, Patil personally handed over the amount to the society`s officials and directed them to issue a clearance certificate to Pawar.
The minister reiterated the government`s commitment to resolving farmers` issues and implementing various welfare schemes.
In a separate gesture of support, the Latur district unit of Krantikari Shetkari Sanghatana gifted Pawar, who owns 2.5 acres of land, a pair of bullocks.
These animals were brought to his home in a celebratory procession. Additionally, a charitable trust from Telangana provided direct financial aid by presenting Pawar with a cheque for Rs 1 lakh.
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