One Lakh Farmers in Pune Paid Dues for Agricultural Power Policy

Around 1.15 lakh farmers in the Pune have paid arrears for agricultural pump electricity bills amounting to Rs.191.24 crore. These farmers have received a reimbursement of Rs.313.56 crore.

The state power provider, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), has urged farmers to take advantage of the new agriculture pump policy, which was announced on December 18, 2020. Farmers can receive a refund of up to 66 percent on past dues under the scheme, depending on how they choose to pay the arrears.

According to a statement, agricultural pump customers who pay arrears in the first year will get a 50% reduction on updated basic arrears and interest, and late charges will be removed, resulting in a 66 percent discount for customers who pay all arrears in the first year.

Consumers who pay arrears within two years will receive a 30% refund on updated principle arrears, while those who pay arrears within three years would receive a 20% reduction, according to authorities.

MSEDCL further stated that after paying off earlier and past dues, approximately 30,033 farmers in the district had no arrears.

According to the statement, previously, the Pune district's 3.12 lakh farmers had arrears of Rs.3096 crore, but with the implementation of the agricultural pump policy and the rebate it provided, the revised dues now at Rs.2342 crore.

The confiscated money will be used to upgrade the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) electricity infrastructure and improve services in rural regions, according to the company.  Of the amount paid by agricultural customers under the Agricultural Policy 2020 would be utilized to develop electricity infrastructure in their local gram panchayat regions.

In addition, 33 percent of the money will be spent to strengthen the electrical infrastructure in their respective district.