Mumbai, 26 July (HS):- More than 44.03 lakh farmers

will be benefitted by the decision of the Maharashtra Government to supply

power free of cost to their agricultural pumps. The Government Resolution (GR)

was issued on Thursday. The free electricity will be available to the farmers

for the next five years.

The decision was taken by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance

Minister Ajit Pawar during the monsoon session of the State Legislature. The

scheme will be implemented from April 2024 to March 2029. The pumps of 7.5 Horsepower

or less will get the free electric supply under the scheme. The scheme

initially will be implemented for three years and further extension will be

granted after review of the scheme.

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited

(MSEDCL) will be given grants of Rs 14,760 crores every year under the scheme.

The total pending bills related to agricultural pumps are about Rs 50 crores in

the state.

Hindusthan Samachar

Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar / Manoj Kumar Tayal