Maha govt approves 1 lakh solar agriculture pumps; to provide power supply to farmers

The Maharashtra government has approved one lakh solar agriculture pumps and aims to provide uninterrupted power supply to farmers even during daytime, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Tuesday at the launch of the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Scheme. The Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Yojana aims to generate 2500 megawatt solar power through a High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) wherein the number of farmers will get power from a single transformer, Fadnavis said.

"Our goal is to provide uninterrupted power supply to farmers even during daytime," Fadnavis said. "Instead of the prevailing tariff of Rs 6, solar energy tariff will be between Rs 2.72 and Rs 3.10. The state government will save Rs 3 per unit," he said. Fadnavis explained that, at present, the government has to purchase electricity at Rs 6 per unit and supply it to farmers at Rs 1.20 to Rs 1.60 per unit, leading to a loss of Rs 3-3.5 per unit.

"Similarly, the government will spend less on subsidies, including cross-subsidies, for industrial consumers," Fadnavis said. Fadnavis said that new electric connections to agriculture pumps, including solar ones, will be made through the High Voltage Distribution Scheme which will benefit nearly 2.5 lakh consumers. Speaking about electric vehicles, Fadnavis said that the initiative was important to protect the environment and will also create job opportunities for ITI students and engineers.

"Many automobile companies are willing to manufacture electric vehicles. But they want charging infrastructure in place," he said, adding that such charging stations will be set up in the MahaNirmiti office premises.

(With inputs from agencies.)