The pro-industry Devendra Fadnavis government has proposed subsidised power tariff for industries in Vidarbha and Marathwada region. The move is expected to boost industrial development in these regions that are largely based on agriculture.
While the Budget doesn't give details of the tariff subsidy, highly placed sources in the energy department said a reduction of Rs1.5 per unit is being proposed for industries in these perennially dry regions, known for a large number of farmer suicides. At present, the industrial tariff is Rs7.5 per unit. Only a year ago, the government had brought down the industrial tariff from Rs8.5 to Rs7.5 for the entire state.
"Rs6 per unit industrial tariff for these regions is being proposed, which is the actual production cost of power. This may cost the exchequer a whopping Rs1,000 crore a year," said a highly placed official. The proposal would need an approval from the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC).
The proposal is backed by a recent report of a three-member committee, headed by Nagpur power commissioner Anup Kumar. The committee was tasked to evaluate the reduction of industrial tariff on power and its impact on the state coffers.
The government has also announced constitution of a Maharashtra Entrepreneurship Cell to promote industries. Integrated management system for unorganised workers has also been proposed, for which Rs18.92 crore have been set aside. Constitution of district level committees to cover maximum youths under the Mudra Bank Yojana have also been announced.
Over 11 lakh new jobs would be generated under the new industry policy, said Mungantiwar in his budget speech. "Moreover, direct investment of Rs53,330 crore under the mega project policy would generate over 85,000 jobs," he said.
Energy sector
Rs 784 crore allocated for electricity generation projects
New 240 subunits to upgrade electricity distribution system
Rs456 crore for addition in capacity of non-conventional energy sources
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Deepak-Mungantiwar")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}