Maharashtra Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana

Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana is a Maharashtra Government scheme under which the Government bears the entire electricity bill for agricultural pump connections with sanctioned load up to 7.5 HP. Around 44 lakh 6 thousand farmers across Maharashtra receive completely free electricity through the Mahavitaran billing system with no application required. The scheme runs for 5 years from April 2024 to March 2029.

Introduction of Maharashtra Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana: A Brief Insight

For millions of farmers in Maharashtra, electricity bills for agricultural pump connections have long been one of the most persistent financial burdens. A farmer, depending on an irrigation pump to water his fields during an uneven monsoon season, ends up paying electricity bills month after month, even when crop returns are uncertain. Global climate change and irregular rainfall have made this burden even heavier in recent years. Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana is the Maharashtra Government’s direct response to this pressure.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced the scheme on 28 June 2024 during the Monsoon Session supplementary budget speech. The Maharashtra Cabinet approved it on 11 July 2024, and the Government issued the official Resolution No. Sankiran-2024/Pr.Kr.97/Urja-5 on 25 July 2024. The scheme falls under the Industries, Energy, Labour and Mines Department, Government of Maharashtra and Mahavitaran Company (MSEDCL) implements it across the state. The scheme is effective from April 2024 and runs for 5 years till March 2029.

Under the scheme, around 44 lakh 6 thousand agricultural pump consumers with a sanctioned load of up to 7.5 HP receive completely free electricity. Farmers do not pay any electricity bill for their eligible agricultural pump connections. The Government of Maharashtra credits the full subsidy amount of Rs. 14,760 crore per year directly to Mahavitaran Company in advance. Mahavitaran then adjusts the bills of eligible agricultural consumers to zero. No application is required from farmers; the benefit applies automatically through the existing consumer records in the Mahavitaran billing system.

It is important to understand that Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana is not a cash transfer or DBT scheme. Farmers do not receive any money in their bank accounts. The benefit reaches them as a complete electricity bill waiver through the billing system. This distinction matters because many farmers confuse electricity relief schemes with direct cash support programmes. The scheme also does not cover all farmers; only agricultural pump consumers of Mahavitaran with a sanctioned load of up to 7.5 HP qualify. Consumers with a load above 7.5 HP, domestic consumers, and commercial consumers are not eligible.

Farmers in Maharashtra also benefit from several other direct income support schemes running alongside this electricity relief. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana provides Rs. 6,000 per year in three instalments of Rs. 2,000 directly into the bank accounts of eligible farmer families across India including Maharashtra. Maharashtra farmers additionally receive Rs. 6,000 per year under the Namo Shetkari Maha Sanman Nidhi Yojana launched by the Maharashtra Government, which provides an additional Rs. 2,000 per instalment to eligible farmers over and above the PM Kisan amount. Together, eligible Maharashtra farmers can receive up to Rs. 12,000 per year in combined direct income support from both schemes while also availing free electricity for their agricultural pumps under this scheme.

Farmers who want to reduce their electricity dependency further can also explore the Maharashtra Government’s solar agricultural pump schemes, which provide subsidised solar pumps to farmers for irrigation, reducing electricity consumption altogether.

Farmers across Maharashtra looking for more agricultural support schemes, income assistance programmes, crop insurance, irrigation support, and welfare initiatives can also explore other available programmes under our Maharashtra Government Schemes List section, according to their eligibility and farming requirements.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Farmers

Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana provides completely free electricity to eligible agricultural pump consumers in Maharashtra. The Government of Maharashtra bears the entire electricity bill burden on behalf of eligible farmers so they do not pay any electricity charges for their agricultural pump connections.

Free Electricity Benefit

• Completely free electricity for all agricultural pump connections with sanctioned load up to 7.5 HP
• Around 44 lakh 6 thousand farmers across Maharashtra receive free electricity under the scheme
• Free electricity benefit applies from April 2024 onwards for all eligible consumers
• The government pays the full electricity bill amount directly to the Mahavitaran Company on behalf of eligible farmers
• Farmers do not need to pay any electricity bill for their eligible agricultural pump connections

Electricity Supply Benefit

• 3-phase electricity is supplied on a rotational basis as per the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission directions
• Night supply: 10 hours or 8 hours, depending on feeder availability
• Day supply: 8 hours as per the rotational schedule
• Electricity supply covers all agricultural feeders statewide

Financial Relief to Farmers

• The government allocates Rs. 14,760 crore per year to provide free electricity under the scheme
• This annual subsidy includes Rs. 6,985 crore as the existing electricity rate subsidy and Rs. 7,775 crore as the additional electricity bill waiver
• The government credits the full subsidy amount in advance to Mahavitaran Company, so farmers receive uninterrupted free electricity
• The agriculture sector accounts for approximately 30% of total electricity consumption in Maharashtra. The scheme provides significant financial relief to farmers already facing challenges from irregular monsoon and global climate change

Scheme Duration

• The scheme runs for 5 years from April 2024 to March 2029
• After 3 years, the government will review the scheme and decide on continuation for the remaining period

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The following eligibility conditions apply to agricultural pump consumers seeking free electricity benefit under Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana of the Government of Maharashtra.

Eligible Beneficiaries

• All agricultural pump consumers of Mahavitaran Company (MSEDCL) in Maharashtra with a sanctioned load of up to 7.5 HP (horsepower) are eligible
• The agricultural pump connection must be registered under the agricultural pump consumer category with Mahavitaran
• The pump must be used for agricultural purposes only

Important Conditions

• The benefit applies only to agricultural pump connections with a sanctioned load of 7.5 HP or below
• Agricultural pump consumers with a sanctioned load above 7.5 HP are not eligible for this scheme
• The scheme covers Mahavitaran Company consumers only – consumers under other distribution utilities must check with their respective utility
• Consumer must have a valid and active agricultural pump connection registered with Mahavitaran

Who Is Not Eligible

• Domestic electricity consumers
• Commercial electricity consumers
• Industrial electricity consumers
• Agricultural pump consumers with a sanctioned load above 7.5 HP
• Consumers with connections not registered under the agricultural pump category with Mahavitaran

Documents Required to be Attached

Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana does not require farmers to submit any separate application or documents to avail the free electricity benefit. The scheme operates automatically through the existing Mahavitaran consumer database based on the registered agricultural pump connection details.

However, farmers who face any issues with their free electricity benefit or need to update their connection details must keep the following documents ready when contacting their nearest Mahavitaran office.

• The electricity consumer number or service connection number of the agricultural pump
• Aadhaar Card of the registered consumer
• Land ownership documents confirming agricultural land in Maharashtra
• Proof of pump capacity confirming sanctioned load up to 7.5 HP
• The latest electricity bill for the agricultural connection
• Bank account details linked with the consumer account wherever required

Important: Farmers do not need to register or apply anywhere for this scheme. The free electricity benefit applies automatically to all eligible agricultural pump consumers with sanctioned load up to 7.5 HP through the Mahavitaran billing system from April 2024 onwards.

How Farmers Can Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana does not require any application or registration from farmers. The free electricity benefit applies automatically to all eligible agricultural pump consumers through the Mahavitaran billing system. However, farmers should follow the steps below to ensure they receive the benefit without any interruption.

Step 1: Confirm that your agricultural pump connection with Mahavitaran has a sanctioned load of 7.5 HP or below. Check your existing electricity bill or consumer card for the sanctioned load details of your connection.

Step 2: Ensure your agricultural pump connection is registered under the correct agricultural pump consumer category with Mahavitaran. Connections registered under any other category may not automatically receive the free electricity benefit.

Step 3: From April 2024 onwards, your electricity bill for the eligible agricultural pump connection should reflect zero or nil charges. Check your monthly electricity bill to confirm the free electricity benefit is being applied correctly.

Step 4: If your electricity bill still shows charges for your eligible agricultural pump connection after April 2024, contact your nearest Mahavitaran office or call the MSEDCL Customer Care helpline at 1912 with your consumer number to get the issue resolved.

Step 5: If you have an agricultural pump connection but your sanctioned load is above 7.5 HP, you are not eligible for free electricity under this scheme. You may however, explore the Maharashtra Government’s solar agricultural pump schemes for alternative energy support.

Step 6: Farmers who want to check the status of their electricity bill concession can contact the nearest Mahavitaran subdivision or division office with their consumer number and latest electricity bill.

Important: The entire implementation responsibility rests with Mahavitaran Company as per the official Government Resolution. Mahavitaran prepares the operational procedure and submits quarterly progress reports to the Government. Farmers do not need to visit any government office or submit any documents to avail the free electricity benefit under the scheme.

Important Links Available

• Energy Department, Government of Maharashtra Official Portal.
• Official Government Resolution PDF, Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana.
• Maharashtra Vitaran Company (MSEDCL) Official Portal.

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

Farmers facing issues related to free electricity benefit, billing queries, connection category, or scheme-related clarifications can contact the following official channels.

• MSEDCL Customer Care: 1912
• Citizen’s Call Center: 155300
• Energy Department, Government of Maharashtra
  Mantralaya, Madam Cama Road,
  Hutatma Rajguru Chowk,
  Mumbai 400032
• For local queries: Contact the nearest Mahavitaran subdivision or division office with the consumer number and the latest electricity bill

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana?

Ans. Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Veej Yojana is a Maharashtra Government scheme under which the Government bears the entire electricity bill burden for agricultural pump consumers with a sanctioned load of up to 7.5 HP. Around 44 lakh 6 thousand farmers across Maharashtra receive completely free electricity for their eligible agricultural pump connections under this scheme.

Q. When was this scheme announced and when did it come into effect?

Ans. The scheme was announced by late Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on 28 June 2024 during the Monsoon Session supplementary budget speech. Cabinet approved it on 11 July 2024 and the official Government Resolution was issued on 25 July 2024. The scheme is effective from April 2024.

Q. Which department implements this scheme?

Ans. The scheme operates under the Industries, Energy, Labour and Mines Department, Government of Maharashtra. Maharashtra Vitaran Company (Mahavitaran/MSEDCL) is the implementing agency responsible for billing adjustments and operational execution.

Q. Who is eligible for free electricity under this scheme?

Ans. All agricultural pump consumers of Mahavitaran Company in Maharashtra with a sanctioned load of up to 7.5 HP are eligible. The pump connection must be registered under the agricultural pump consumer category with Mahavitaran.

Q. Do farmers need to apply to avail this benefit?

Ans. No. Farmers do not need to apply anywhere or submit any documents. The free electricity benefit applies automatically through the Mahavitaran billing system based on existing consumer records from April 2024 onwards.

Q. How does the free electricity benefit work?

Ans. The Government of Maharashtra credits the full subsidy amount in advance to Mahavitaran Company. Mahavitaran then adjusts the electricity bills of eligible agricultural pump consumers to zero. Farmers do not receive any cash, instead, their electricity bill is fully waived through the billing system.

Q. Is this scheme a cash transfer or DBT scheme?

Ans. No. This is not a cash transfer or DBT scheme. The Government pays the subsidy amount directly to Mahavitaran Company and the benefit reaches farmers as a complete bill waiver through the electricity billing system. No money is deposited into farmers’ bank accounts.

Q. How much does the scheme cost the Government annually?

Ans. The Government allocates Rs. 14,760 crore per year for this scheme. This includes Rs. 6,985 crore as existing electricity rate subsidy and Rs. 7,775 crore as additional electricity bill waiver subsidy.

Q. What is the HP limit for eligibility under this scheme?

Ans. Only agricultural pump consumers with sanctioned load up to 7.5 HP are eligible. Consumers with sanctioned loads above 7.5 HP are not covered under this scheme.

Q. How many farmers benefit from this scheme?

Ans. Around 44 lakh 6 thousand agricultural pump consumers across Maharashtra receive free electricity under the scheme.

Q. How long will this scheme run?

Ans. The scheme runs for 5 years from April 2024 to March 2029. After 3 years, the Government will review the scheme and take a decision on continuation for the remaining period.

Q. What electricity supply schedule do farmers receive under this scheme?

Ans. As per Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission directions, 3-phase electricity is supplied on a rotational basis. Night supply is 10 hours or 8 hours and day supply is 8 hours, depending on feeder availability.

Q. What should farmers do if their bill still shows charges after April 2024?

Ans. Farmers whose eligible for agricultural pump connections still show electricity charges after April 2024 should contact their nearest Mahavitaran office or call MSEDCL Customer Care at 1912 with their consumer number to get the issue resolved.

Q. Does this scheme cover all farmers in Maharashtra?

Ans. No. The scheme specifically covers agricultural pump consumers of Mahavitaran Company with a sanctioned load up to 7.5 HP. Domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers are not eligible. Agricultural pump consumers with a load above 7.5 HP are also not covered.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.