Maharashtra to stop free power for farmers

In view of the acute power shortage in the state, the Democratic Front government in Maharashtra today decided to discontinue its pre-poll promise of providing free power to farmers.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh announced this after a cabinet meeting today.

The Maharastra government has decided to stop free power to farmers from June 1, 2005.

Experts say free power to farmers has resulted in a major power shortage in the state and also cost the state government close to Rs 1,200 crore towards subsidising power for farmers.