Maharashtra to decide power tariff cut: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said here today that the proposal prepared by the energy department based on the Rane Committee report regarding a power tariff cut is under consideration and a decision would be taken soon.

"We are studying financial burden on the exchequer, the subsidy given by other states and its impact on development works. The state government would have to bear the subsidy burden. The cut was possible only after the state government's subsidy," he said.

It is yet to be decided about how much burden the state exchequer should take. The issue could have been discussed intoday's cabinet meeting, but it has been postponed due to the absence of department officials, he said.

"All consumers, including domestic, agricultural, commercial and industrial, will benefit from the decision," Pawar assured, though he declined to comment on how much relief consumers would get.

The Rane Committee Report has recommended a 10 to 20 per cent power tariff cut which may cost Rs 6,000 crore to the state government as subsidy.

Incidentally, the demand to cut power tariff intensified after Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi state government slashed electricity bills by 50 per cent.