Maharashtra announces relief scheme for agri consumers

Farmers who owe arrears to MahaVitaran will have to pay 50% of the principal amount to avail the scheme

The Congress-National Congress Party government in poll-bound Maharashtra on Friday announced a Krishi Sanjivani Scheme 2014, giving relief to about three million agricultural power consumers who owe a total of Rs 10,090 crore to the state power distribution company, MahaVitaran. Of this, the principal is Rs 5,673 crore and Rs 4,417 crore is towards interest and fines.

According to the scheme, announced by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, 50 per cent of the principal amount and the entire interest and fine will be waived for agricultural consumers who pay 50 per cent of the principal amount (as on March 31). For consumers who don’t owe any arrears (as on March 31), 50 per cent exemption in principal will be given in two quarterly bills.

Of the 21.7 million consumers of MahaVitaran, 3.6 million belong to the agricultural category. Of this, as many as 3.1 million owe arrears to the state distribution company.

Last Sunday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar had asked the state government to help hailstorm-affected farmers.

Elections to the Maharashtra Assembly are slated for September-October.

The state government will bear a burden of Rs 2,977 crore towards 50 per cent arrears towards principal amount, while arrears of Rs 2,696 crore will be waived. MahaVitaran will bear burden of Rs 4,417 crore due to exemption in interest and fine.

Pawar said agricultural consumers can pay 50 per cent of the principal amount in three instalments up to October 31. Further, agricultural consumers can pay 50 per cent arrears at one go before August 31, 2014.

 
However, Pawar clarified that agricultural consumers paying regular bills since April 1 will benefit from the Krishi Sanjivani Scheme.