In a major relief to sinking industries in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, the State government extended the electricity bill waiver scheme for industrial units by five more years. This decision will put an additional burden of Rs 600-crore on the State exchequer.
The proposal to extend the benefit was taken in a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The exemption is expected to boost industries and create employment in both the regions, infamous for agrarian crisis and slow growth of industries.
“The proposal for extending the exemption for industrial units was put forward with the intention to boost industrial development in the region. More power-oriented units could come and take advantage of the exemption. With new industrial units, it will also generate employment in Marathwada and Vidarbha,†state energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said after the Cabinet meeting.
The exemption was first introduced on March 21, 2013Â for five years, which ended on March 20, 2019. The new exemption would be in force till March 31, 2024.
Industries including micro, small, medium in C, D and D+ category industrial areas and Maoist-affected areas will benefit from the decision. Out of the total Rs 2,17,774.1 crore investment in the State’s power sector, Vidarbha-Marathwada has received the investment of Rs 1,57,204.1 crore.
Extension to power tariff waiver scheme is likely to boost industrial growth in both the regions and generate employment.
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