Maharashtra Waives ₹48,000-Crore Power Bill Arrears for Farmers
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a ₹48,000-crore waiver of pending electricity bill arrears for farmers with agricultural pump connections up to 7.5 HP. This move aims to clear old liabilities and enable farmers to get new power connections, providing significant financial relief.
Background
Farmers in Maharashtra have been burdened by outstanding electricity dues, hindering access to new power connections. The state already provides free power to eligible agricultural pumps, but arrears remained a barrier.
Key facts
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced waiver of ₹48,000 crore in pending electricity bill arrears.
The waiver applies to farmers with agricultural pump connections of up to 7.5 HP.
The announcement was made at Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Mumbai, during a felicitation by farmers.
The state and Centre have together allocated nearly ₹95,000 crore this year for agriculture sector schemes.
The government is promoting Israeli fertigation technology, automated drip irrigation, and natural farming.
Efforts are underway to make Maharashtra drought-free through river-linking and water diversion projects.
Plans include channeling excess floodwater from western Maharashtra to drought-prone Marathwada region.
Prelims pointers
- Maharashtra CM: Devendra Fadnavis
- Scheme: Waiver of electricity bill arrears for farmers (up to 7.5 HP pumps)
- Amount: ₹48,000 crore
- Total agriculture allocation: ₹95,000 crore (Centre + State)
- Technologies: Israeli fertigation, drip irrigation, natural farming
- Initiative: River-linking to make Maharashtra drought-free
Mains angles
- GS2: Government policies and interventions for agriculture sector – analysis of subsidy vs investment.
- GS3: Agriculture – issues of farm power subsidies, financial burden on state exchequer, and sustainable farming practices.
- GS3: Infrastructure – irrigation projects, river-linking, and water management for drought mitigation.