MUMBAI: Over 25,000 farmers across Maharashtra will soon get full time electricity supply during daytime, announced state energy minister Nitin Raut on Monday.
“Taking into account the problems faced in power supply to agricultural pumps at night, we have decided to set up solar power projects near MSEDCL substations to provide electricity to farmers during daytime,” Raut said. He further said that the suggestion came from a few farmers and public representatives. “We will implement this project soon under the Chief Minister Solar Agriculture Pump scheme,” he stated.
The scheme will provide electricity to 25,000 farmers spread across at least 50 transmission lines in the state. “At the same time, the pending arrears for agriculture pumps in the state is around Rs 42,000 crore including interest and penalties. The issue is under consideration by the state government. However, considering the present financial crisis of MSEDCL, at least 80% of agricultural consumers on the feeder are expected to pay their current electricity bills so that the solar project can be implemented successfully,” said a senior MSEDCL official.
“The consumers have been requested to cooperate with MSEDCL to provide government or private space to set up the solar projects near the substations,” Raut said.
