<p>Former Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar<br></p>

PUNE: Former Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday said the state government needs to take a decision on loan waiver — like the Uttar Pradesh and the Central governments — to protect the interest of farmers .

Pawar said the ongoing unrest was a long time coming. The responsibility now lies with the state government to come up with a wise decision in favour of farmers, he said.

“Farm debt has become an issue of concern in many states. A decision was taken by the government in Uttar Pradesh to waive off loans. Farmers in many other states were expecting a similar decision. However, when they saw that the governments are not serious about it, they resorted to agitation,” he added.

Pawar was speaking in Pune on the sidelines of an event organised to felicitate him for completing 50 years in politics. It also celebrated 25 years of the state women’s policy that provides 50% reservation to women in local self-governing bodies. He was felicitated by former President Pratibha Patil.

