Mumbai/Aurangabad, Mar 1: Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray has welcomed the budgetary proposal of the Centre to waive farmers' bank loans to the tune of Rs 600 billion.

He said that in order to stop farmers' suicides in Vidarbh region of the state, now it was the turn of the Maharashtra Government to waive the farmers' loans.

"The Central Government has bowed before the unity of farmers. I request the farmers' community to keep their unity intact. We will not spare the government until all the loans are waived. The Central Government has done its part and now it's the turn of the Maharashtra Government to waive off the remaining loans," said Thackeray.

In Aurangabad, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) activists celebrated the Budget bonanza.

Jubilant farmers vowed to vote for the Central Government for its mega gift.

"We were forced to attempt suicides because of heavy debts, but we will not go for it as our loans are waived. We will elect this government again," said Vasudeo Matale Jinake, a farmer.

For bigger farmers, the budget proposed a waiver of 100 billion rupees as one-time settlement, provided the farmers repaid 75 per cent of their loan that was overdue on December 31, 2007. (ANI)