MSEDCL: Farmers owe `7,090 cr power bills

Nagpur, Feb 24

The outstanding power bill of agricultural pumps has crossed `7,090.17 crore and it is due on the farmers of Vidarbha. There are 8,99,042 farmers who owe the outstanding amount to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). Now after so many years, MSEDCL has threatened to cut power supply of farmers which will affect functioning of farm pumps and this has stirred the farmers in Vidarbha.

MSEDCL has also provided farmers with an option of exemption from payment of bills under Krishi Pump Connection Policy. But to avail the option, farmers have to pay `4,630 crore. Since 2014, Devendra Fadnavis government has stopped disconnecting power connection of farmers. After the change in government, current administration has decided to cut power connection of farm pumps in case of non-payment of bills. MSEDCL claims that the outstanding amount of power bill has crossed `70,000 crore and the government has no other options but to cut power connection.

MSEDCL has begun drive to discontinue power supply to domestic, commercial and industrial units and now farmers with outstanding power bills are being sent notices. In case of Vidarbha, maximum number of outstanding bills are from Akola zone. They owe around `2,770.02 crore and MSEDCL has warned farmers to pay bill of September month within 15 days from the date of receiving the notice. If they fail to pay bill MSEDCL is bound to cut their power connections, MSEDCL informed.

Box

Outstanding amount in Vidarbha region

Zone Farmers Amount

Akola 2,93,032 2,770.02 cr

Amravati2,57,295 2,756.09 cr

Chandrapur 79,302 232.05 cr

Gondia 87,040 425.03 cr

Nagpur 1,82,373 904.94 cr