Special Process for Aadhaar Authentication of Elderly Farmers
The Government of Maharashtra has prescribed a special Aadhaar authentication process for elderly farmers and other beneficiaries whose fingerprints cannot be captured under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana 2026, as reported by The Times of India and CNBC TV18. The move follows reports of beneficiaries facing difficulties in completing fingerprint-based authentication for the loan waiver scheme, particularly in Latur district.
Divisional joint registrar of the cooperation department, Nanasaheb Chavan, said farmers with fingerprint matching problems could complete the authentication process at their nearest Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendra. According to Chavan, if a farmer's fingerprint does not match, authentication must be attempted at least three times using different fingers. If it still fails, the operator should select the 'Authentication Not Possible' option in the system and authenticate the case using his own fingerprint.
Officials said farmers were required to carry their Aadhaar card and bank passbook to the service centre. After the loan account details were verified on the scheme portal using either the Aadhaar number or loan account number, the authentication process would be initiated, they said.
Cases Forwarded to Tehsildar for Verification
Cases where biometric authentication fails will be forwarded to the tehsildar for verification. "The tehsildar will examine documents like the Aadhaar card, bank passbook and 7/12 extract to establish the farmer's identity. Once the identity is confirmed through the Aadhaar number and supporting records, the authentication process will be completed," Chavan said.
Following successful authentication, the loan waiver amount will be credited online to the accounts of eligible beneficiaries in accordance with the scheme guidelines. The officials said several beneficiaries had reported difficulties in completing Aadhaar authentication due to worn-out or faded fingerprints.
Scheme Details and Reach
Under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana, eligible farmers are entitled to a waiver of short-term crop loans of up to Rs 2 lakh availed between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2025, subject to prescribed conditions. Officials said more than 12.5 lakh farmers across Maharashtra had benefited from the scheme during its first two phases.