Free electricity to farmers will continue: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

At the Winter Session in Nagpur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also emphasised a shift to solar energy in the agricultural sector.

At the ongoing Winter Session in Nagpur, Fadnavis said solar energy infrastructure was a one-time investment and would reduce agriculture costs. (File Image)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday reiterated his government’s commitment to continue providing free power to farmers and emphasised a shift to solar energy in the agricultural sector.

In the 2024 Assembly elections, the BJP had promised in its manifesto that farmers in the state could continue to avail free electricity. In Maharashtra, farmers using agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horsepower are eligible for free electricity.

The state government spends Rs 10,000 crore on power subsidies for farmers and even before the electricity waiver came into being, farmers in the state were enjoying subsidised electricity.

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At the ongoing Winter Session in Nagpur, Fadnavis said solar energy infrastructure was a one-time investment and would reduce agriculture costs. He also promised that the Ladki Bahin Yojana which entails a monthly allowance to eligible women in the 18 to 65 age group would be continued.

Other key announcements:

• Post-session disbursement confirmed for women beneficiaries under the Ladki Bahin Yojana
• No electricity bills for farmers
• State leads in FDI with ₹3.48 lakh crore investments since July 2022

Investment and employment generation:

• Total investment of ₹3,48,070 crore secured since July 2022
• Expected job creation: 2,13,267 positions
• 10 major projects approved with ₹2,39,117 crore investment
• Region-wise development:
• Vidarbha: 47 projects, ₹1,23,931 crore investment
• Marathwada: 38 projects, ₹74,646 crore investment
• Rest of Maharashtra: 136 projects, ₹1,49,493 crore investment

Infrastructure development

• Vadhavan Port development with ₹76,000 crore investment
• Metro projects progression in Mumbai, Nagpur, and Pune
• Mumbai Metro Line 3 nearing completion
• IT Park development in Nashik

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Agricultural and rural development

• 167 irrigation projects approved
• Additional 25.21 lakh hectares under irrigation
• River linking projects for drought mitigation
• Solar power initiatives for farmers
• 9 lakh agricultural pumps available