‘Chief Minister Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme’—A Relief for Farmers

Nov 2025 : Due to global climate change and irregular rainfall, farmers have been continuously facing natural disasters. To support and provide relief to the farming community during such difficult times, the state government has decided to implement the ‘Chief Minister Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme–2024’ to provide free electricity to agricultural pump consumers up to 7.5 HP.

As of March 2024, there are 47.41 lakh agricultural pump consumers in the state, and Mahavitaran provides electricity supply to these consumers. Of the total electricity consumers, 16% are agricultural pump consumers, and nearly 30% of the state’s total electricity usage is consumed by the agriculture sector. Currently, the total annual electricity consumption of agricultural consumers is 39,246 lakh units, used primarily to power agricultural pumps.

According to directives of the Maharashtra State Electricity Regulatory Commission, three-phase electricity is supplied to agricultural pumps across the state in a cyclic manner—10/8 hours at night or 8 hours during the day.

During the monsoon session held in June 2024, Deputy Chief Minister and District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar announced the implementation of the ‘Chief Minister Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme–2024’ in his budget speech. Under this scheme, the government decided to bear the burden of farmers’ electricity bills. A total of 44.03 lakh farmers with agricultural pumps up to 7.5 HP will receive electricity completely free of cost. For this purpose, a subsidy of ₹14,760 crore will be provided. The scheme aims to support Mahavitaran’s agricultural consumers and prevent the accumulation of unpaid bills.

The scheme will run for five years, from April 2024 to March 2029. However, after three years, the scheme will be reviewed before deciding on its continuation. All agricultural pump consumers with sanctioned loads up to 7.5 HP in the state will be eligible for the benefits.

Implementation Method

The ‘Chief Minister Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme’ is implemented by Mahavitaran. Under Section 65 of the Electricity Act 2003, the government has the authority to provide subsidies to any consumer or consumer category and apply subsidized electricity rates accordingly. Based on this provision, after waiving farmers’ electricity bills, the subsidized amount is transferred in advance by the government to Mahavitaran.

Currently, Mahavitaran is receiving ₹6,985 crore as electricity tariff subsidy, and an additional ₹7,775 crore as bill-waiver subsidy—adding up to ₹14,760 crore annually, which the government will continue to pay. The government has also adopted a policy of providing solar agricultural pumps on demand, ensuring farmers get reliable electricity for farming.

Voices from the Field

Sunil Kakade, Chief Engineer, Mahavitaran Pune Circle, Pune:

“Under the Chief Minister Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme 2024, all agricultural pumps up to 7.5 HP are provided electricity free of cost. Pune district has a total of 3,29,488 agricultural pumps, of which 2,84,198 pumps up to 7.5 HP capacity are receiving benefits under this scheme.”

Vikas Kisan Kapdi, Jarakarwadi, Paragaon Post, Ambegaon Taluka:
“We have two agricultural pump connections—3 HP and 5 HP. For the past one and a half years, we no longer worry about electricity bills. Earlier, we struggled to gather money every three months to pay the bill. We thank the government for this scheme and request that it be continued permanently.”

Sunil Arjun Karande, Kathapur Budruk, Ambegaon Taluka:
“My pump connection is 5 HP. Since last year, we have stopped receiving electricity bills for farming due to the Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme. I am satisfied with the scheme and grateful to the government. The government is also working on providing daytime electricity.”