Maha cabinet approves compensation to MSEDCL for 3-phase power

The Maharashtra cabinet today approved subsidy for the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) for the expenses incurred by it to provide three-phase power supply to agriculture pumps in August last year.
A release issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that in order to prevent losses to the agriculture sector due to the scanty rainfall in August 2016, three-phase 12-hour power supply was provided to agriculture pumps to make water available.
The state faced drought-like conditions in 2014-15 and 2015-16 due to scanty rainfall.
Meagre rainfall in August 2016 impeded the harvesting season and farmers would have suffered financial losses due to crop damage, the release said adding that there was also a possibility of a huge deficit in crop production.

However, due to the satisfactory rainy season in June-July 2016, there was a considerable water in rivers and dams due to the successful implementation of Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, the release added.
It stated that though this water could be used for agriculture purposes, it was not possible to provide enough water in the 8-10 hours of electricity, which was being provided to agriculture pumps.

"Hence, there were demands from farmers and elected representatives to make changes in the existing policy of electricity supply to agriculture pumps and provide power continuously for 12 hours," it said.
Accordingly, from September 8, 2016 to December 15, 2016, three-phase 12 hour power was supplied by Mahavitaran (MSEDCL).

Also, between March 3, 2017 and 15 May 2017 three-phase 12 hour power was supplied for agricultural pumps in Bhandara, Gondia and Brahmpuri areas.
"In this period, the MSEDCL had to incur extra expenditure for increased electricity supply. The government today decided to compensate for the increased expenditure," the CMO stated.