- He also launched an Amnesty scheme for farmers to recover their outstanding arrears for electricity bills of agricultural pumps.
- Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra;Dr. Nitin Raut, Energy Minister of Maharashtra & Balasaheb Thorat, Revenue Minister of Maharashtra were present during the event.
i.Objectives of the Pump Power Connection Policy 2020:
- Target of 2 lakh new Pump Power Connections in two years (2021-22).
- Eight-hour power supply to farmers in the next 3 years (2021-23).
- Maharashtra is set to spend ~ INR 1,500 each year till 2024 for the implementation of this policy.
ii.Maharashtra’s Scheme for recovering Outstanding Arrears:
According to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) the arrears from farmers for electricity bills stands at INR 45, 559 Crores. Therefore, Maharashtra has launched a Amnesty scheme
- Farmers will get an 50% waiver if they clear their pending dues within 1 year.
- They will be given 3 years to clear their pending bills.
- 33% of recovered amount will be set aside for improving the Local Power Network infrastructure of the concerned gram panchayat.
- Another 33% for improving the Local Power Network infrastructure of the district.
Recent Related News:
i.On 09 December, 2020 State Government of Maharashtra led by CM Uddhav Thackeray launched the “Sharad Pawar Rural Prosperity Scheme”.
About Maharashtra:
Dams – Koyna Dam (Koyna River), Jayakwadi Dam (Godavari River), Isapur Dam (Penganga River)
RAMSAR Sites – Lonar Lake, Nandur Madhameshwar
