PUNE: Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on Saturday said the government will fulfill all promises made in the election manifesto, a day after his cabinet colleague Ajit Pawar’s statement that “farmers need not wait for a crop loan waiver” caused a flutter. Shinde was speaking after he visited Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s samadhi at Vadhu in Pune district on his death anniversary. 

“Whatever promises we have mentioned in the manifesto, we will fulfill them. Each and every promise will be honored. We will not call it a printing mistake,” Shinde, who heads Shiv Sena, told reporters when asked to comment on Pawar’s remarks. 

When questioned about the promise to increase the monthly aid under the Ladki Bahin Yojana from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, as mentioned in the poll manifesto, Shinde said, “Once the economic condition of the state is strengthened, our sisters will be given Rs 2,100. Whatever we have promised, we will fulfill it.” 

According to Shinde, increased investment would ultimately improve financial strength. He also called for maintaining a balance in state finances, adding that funds should be available for welfare schemes, development, and employees’ salaries. 

When asked about the Saugat-e-Modi scheme, Shinde defended the scheme amid the opposition’s criticism, saying that initiatives launched by the Prime Minister lifted 35 crore Indians out of poverty and provided free rations to 80 crore people across all communities. 

Shinde’s assurance comes a day after Deputy CM and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar advised farmers to pay their crop loan installments on time rather than awaiting a loan waiver announcement, citing the state’s current financial constraints. As quoted by news agency ANI, he said, “As of March 28, I want to clearly inform the people of Maharashtra through this program to repay their crop loans by March 31. Promises made during elections don’t always translate directly into action.”