Mumbai: Maharashtra Agriculture Power Power Power Power Policy, 2020, has succeeded in pursuing 17.4 farmers lakh throughout the state in the past 12 months to pay arrears of electricity bills that are delayed with a tone of Rs 2,100 Crore.
“This is a big recovery of farmers considering that there is a very low recovery in recent years,” said an official.
While this has brought a large number to MSEDCL Kitty, the latter has now decided to take advantage of Rs 1400 Crore to create better infrastructure in villages and cities for farmers.
New infrastructure will involve strengthening existing electrical distribution systems, installing high capacity transformers and substations.
It will also involve repairs and maintenance of existing feeders to ensure unbroken supply, said an official.
While some farmers pay 30% of delayed electricity bills, others pay 50% while some have zero arrears about the date, said a senior official.
“We are pleased that the policy has attracted a large number of farmers and also increases income for MSEDCL cash,” he added.
In March 2014, the arrears of electricity bills for agricultural consumers were Rs 14,154 Crore and this increased to Rs 40,195 Crore in the following years.
In October 2020, during a review of the delayed electricity bill arrears, MSEDCL officials were surprised noting that arrears had increased to Rs 45,804 Crore.
Energy Minister Nitin Raut was driven for a new agricultural pump policy connection, which was launched by the Minister of State of UDDHAV Thackeray in January 2021.
The source said that the state had provided Rs 10,428 Crore as a subsidy to compensate for the arrears to a certain extent of RS 4,676 Crore was revoked in the form of costs Payable payments and interest in arrears.
This reduces the overall arrears to Rs 30,707 Crore.
The country plans to provide at least eight hours of electricity during the daytime to farmers and in the next five years, there are plans to produce 17,360 MW solar energy that can be distributed for agricultural pumps.