It is not possible for the Maharashtra government to give electricity bill waiver to farmers, said Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bavankule today.
He said the government has already provided relief to farmers by waiving interest and penalty on pending power bills, incurred on account of agri activities, but a complete write off is not possible.
"We have waived interest and penalty of pending agri- power bills. The government is taking basic power bills in five instalments spread over 15 months. So farmers must pay their agri-electricity bills as the government will not waive them," he said.
Bavankule was here in central Maharashtra to review works of his department.
The state purchases electricity at Rs 6 per unit and gives that to cultivators for agri use at a very low rate of Re 1 per unit, said the minister.
Despite supplying power at such a low rate, farm bills amounting to Rs 19,000 crore are pending, but "we have not cut a single power connection", he added.
"Electricity is necessary to execute infrastructure projects so I request farmers to pay their pending bills in instalments," the minister said.
He said the government is serious about curbing power thefts. "We have given instructions to all police stations in the state to register offences against electricity theft.
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