The state Cabinet today decided to continue with the freebie offers in power sector to the farmers. A scheme to offer flexibility and a slash in power bill dues of agriculture consumers, the ‘Krishak Rahat Yojana’, was today extended by the state Cabinet till December 31, 2010. The scheme had expired on December 31 last year.
Under the scheme the farmers will be allowed to pay only 50 per cent of their dues till December 31, 2010. Alternatively power distribution companies will waive off surcharges on power dues if they clear their dues in six monthly installments.
“At present as many as 200,000 farmers owe Rs 250 crore. The scheme had already covered more than 500,000 farmers and the state had made payments of Rs 219 crore to the distribution companies against a total outstanding due of Rs 271.21 crore till December 31, 2009.
