Maharashtra To Waive Rs. 48,000 Crore in Farmers' Power Dues, Promises 12 Hours of Free Daytime Electricity
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a waiver of old electricity dues worth Rs. 48,000 crore for farmers with agricultural pump connections of up to 7.5 HP.
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced a major relief for farmers, stating that the state government will waive old outstanding electricity bills worth Rs. 48,000 crore for farmers with agricultural pump connections of up to 7.5 horsepower (HP).
The announcement comes soon after the state unveiled the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme, under which eligible farmers will receive a farm loan waiver. Together, the two initiatives are aimed at easing the financial burden on the farming community.
Speaking at a felicitation programme organised by the BJP Kisan Morcha in Mumbai to honour him for announcing the loan waiver scheme, Fadnavis said the electricity bill waiver would clear long-pending dues of eligible farmers, effectively giving them a fresh financial start.
The Chief Minister also announced that farmers would receive 12 hours of free daytime electricity for agricultural operations. The move is expected to improve irrigation efficiency, reduce dependence on night-time power supply, enhance safety for farmers working in fields after dark, and lower operational challenges during the cropping season.
Highlighting the government's broader agricultural strategy, Fadnavis said Maharashtra has made substantial investments in irrigation infrastructure since 2014, helping make farming more productive, sustainable and resilient. He added that the government would continue to strengthen the agriculture sector by encouraging greater investment and collaboration from the industry and services sectors to improve farm productivity and enhance farmers' incomes.
The latest announcements are expected to provide significant financial relief to lakhs of farmers across Maharashtra by addressing both long-pending electricity dues and the availability of reliable daytime power for irrigation.
