Maharashtra: 17.4 lakh farmers pay pending electricity bills to tune of Rs 2,100 crore

TheMaharashtra Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture Pump Power Connectionpolicy, 2020, has succeeded in pursuing 17.4 lakh farmers across state in the past 12 months to repay pending electricity bill arrears to the tune of Rs 2,100 crore.

The new will involve strengthening of existing electricity distribution systems, installing high capacity transformers and substations. It will also involve repair and maintenance of existing feeders to ensure uninterrupted supply, an official said.

Sources said that the state has given Rs 10,428 crore as subsidies to offset arrears to some extent while Rs 4,676 crore was waived in the form of delayed payment charges and interests on arrears. This reduced the overall arrears to Rs 30,707 crore.
The state plans to give at least eight hours of electricity during the daytime to farmers and in the next five years, there are plans to generate 17,360 MW Solar Energy which can be distributed for agriculture pumps.