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Farmers using agricultural water pumps with power up to 7.5 horsepower (HP) will receive free electricity.
The government has allocated a large budget for this measure, including Rs 6,985 crore for electricity bill relief and another Rs 7,775 billion for electricity bill relief.
To support farmers, the Maharashtra government has launched the Chief Minister Baliraja Free Power Scheme 2024, under which all households using agricultural water pumps with a capacity of not more than 7.5 horsepower (HP) will be provided with electricity from April 2024. Farmers will receive free electricity. The scheme, which is valid until March 2029, aims to alleviate challenges faced by farmers due to global climate change and unpredictable rainfall patterns. The policy will be reviewed after three years to make necessary adjustments.
The government has allocated a large budget for this measure, including Rs 6,985 crore for electricity bill relief and another Rs 7,775 billion for electricity bill relief. This will bring a total of Rs 14,760 crore in power bill relief to farmers across the state. The decision to launch Chief Minister Baliraja’s Free Power Scheme 2024 reflects a strategic effort to alleviate farmers’ dissatisfaction, which had previously manifested itself in the election results.
The official announcement and further details of the scheme are available on the Maharashtra government website.
Amid severe unrest among onion growers and other farming communities, the government is acutely aware of the potential impact on the 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections scheduled to be held in October. Both Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recognized the urgency of addressing farmers' grievances to maintain political stability.
During a recent discussion at the Niti Aayog meeting in Delhi, CM Shinde emphasized the need for a strong and ambitious support package for farmers. The state government is currently focused on implementing integrated irrigation projects to complement drought relief efforts and further support the agricultural sector.
Despite the government's recently announced ambitious high-budget plans, opposition leaders have expressed serious concerns. Some question whether the government has the necessary financial resources to fund these measures. Additionally, some opponents view the proposals as mere election season gestures aimed at gaining support ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.
