महाराष्ट्रात डॉ. पंजाबराव देशमुख योजना राबविण्याचा हेतू काय ?
(1) शेतमालाची निर्यात वाढवण्यासाठी प्रोत्साहन देणे.
(2) जलसिंचनाकरिता वित्तिय मदत देण्यासाठी.
(3) शेतकऱ्यांना वेळेवर कर्ज फेडण्यास प्रोत्साहन म्हणून व्याजदरात सूट देण्यासाठी.
(4) शेतमालावर प्रक्रिया करण्यासाठी.

The correct answer is Option C (Interest rebate to motivate farmers for timely repayment of loan).

Key Points:
• Core Concept
• Agricultural credit discipline requires encouraging prompt debt servicing through interest subvention frameworks implemented by state governments.
• Why Correct
• The Government of Maharashtra launched the Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Interest Concession Scheme (डॉ. पंजाबराव देशमुख व्याज सवलत योजना) to incentivize farmers to repay short-term crop loans (Pik Karz) on or before the due date.
• Under this scheme:
• 1. Farmers repaying crop loans up to Rs. 1 lakh in time receive an interest rebate (making credit available at 0% effective interest).
• 2. For loans between Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 3 lakh, an interest rebate of 1% to 2% was provided.
• Therefore, its explicit objective is providing interest rebates to motivate farmers for timely repayment of loans.
• Key Details
• This scheme significantly reduced default rates across Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs).
• Exam Traps
• Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh's name is associated with several agrarian and educational initiatives; in agricultural finance, this specific state scheme is an interest rebate incentive.
• Other Options
• Options 1, 2, and 4 confuse this crop loan incentive with agro-export promotion, minor irrigation subsidies, or agro-processing schemes.
• Key Takeaway: Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Scheme in Maharashtra provides interest rebates to incentivize farmers for the timely repayment of short-term crop loans.