Maharashtra Budget hikes electricity tax

Maharashtra government has decided to levy additional duty and tax on the electricity produced and sold in the state,to fund infrastructure facilities that would be improved in areas having power generation plants.

Maharashtra government has decided to levy additional duty and tax on the electricity produced and sold in the state,to fund infrastructure facilities that would be improved in areas having power generation plants.

The announcement was made by Finance Minister Ajit Pawar,while presenting his maiden Maharashtra budget speech in the Legislative Assembly here today.

“Chandrapur is a 500 year old city. The city is today mainly known for the 2,500 MW of electricity being generated there. While it makes available electricity to the entire Maharashtra,there is tremendous strain on the infrastructure and environment of the city. This adversely affects the citizens of the city,” he said.

It has been decided to levy additional duty and tax on the electricity produced and sold in the state and from this fund infrastructure facilities would be improved in the cities and villages having power generation plants,he said.

It would be of great help in development of Chandrapur,Parli,Paras,Bhusaval,Eklehra,Koradi and Khaparkheda,where thermal power generation plants of Mahanirmiti are located,as well as villages and cities where private thermal power generation plants are located,he said.

Considering Chandrapur’s severe problems,an action plan of Rs 250 crore for three years for overall development of city is being prepared. For the present,an outlay of Rs 25 crore has been provided for it,he said.