Camps to wave off farmers’ bills

Bhopal, Mar 18: Farmers in the state are in for a bonanza as power companies have chalked out a strategy to write off 100 percent surcharge and 50 percent energy charge of the power bills due against them for using water pumps. Accordingly, the power companies have instructed their field officers to organise special camps under Krishak Vidyut Rahat Yojana (Farmers' Power Relief Scheme).

The companies have urged the consumers of agriculture pumps to avail benefit of this scheme being conducted by the state government. Under the scheme, as on January 31, 2008, hundred percent surcharge and 50 percent energy charge of the bills for consuming power for running up to 10 HP capacity agriculture pumps would be waived. State government would bear the expenses on waiver of 50 percent energy charge while the expenditure on writing off 100 percent surcharge would be borne by the power companies. Two options have been given for payment of 50 percent energy charge. Under the first option, on lump sum payment of 50 percent energy charge, rest of the 50 percent energy charge and 100 power surcharge would be waived. Besides, the farmer would be given 10 percent additional rebate proportional to the amount deposited by him. The last date for availing this object is May 31, 2008.

Under the second option, agriculture pump consumers have been given installment facility. Accordingly, they can pay the due amount of 50 percent energy charge in four equal six-monthly installments. If a defaulter pays three installments simultaneously by May 31, 2008, he would be given additional rebate of 7.5 percent. Five percent more rebate would be given if the farmer pays all the installments simultaneously by May 31, 2008. Under the second option, the first installment must invariably be paid by May 31, 2008. Amount of surcharge would be totally waived if a defaulter agriculture pump consumer pays the installments regularly.