Now Reading: Maharashtra restores power to drought-hit water supply schemes
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Maharashtra restores power to drought-hit water supply schemes
The Story in Brief
The Maharashtra government has cleared the restoration of disconnected electricity supply to public water supply schemes of urban and rural local bodies amid drought conditions. A government resolution issued by the energy department on 30 October sets conditions including certificates from the collector or chief executive officer that tankers are not supplying water in the area and that a usable water source is available.
To restore a cut connection, the local body must pay a security deposit equal to one month’s electricity bills along with a reconnection fee. For new connections held up because of arrears, the body must pay the connection charge according to rules. The deposit and fees can be paid from District Planning Committee funds, scarcity funds, 16th Finance Commission funds or any other fund. The local body must pay every monthly bill on time. The measures will apply only for the drought period as per government orders. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd has been told to issue necessary instructions urgently.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The government order provides a practical but conditional escape from a catch-22: local bodies unable to pay electricity bills lose power, and without power cannot pump water even where a source exists. The conditions, no tanker supply and a usable water source, effectively bar the order in areas already dependent on water tankers. The security deposit, reconnection fee, and strict monthly payment rule still require cash-strapped local bodies to find money, though the order opens three fund sources including District Planning Committee and Finance Commission funds. The relief is explicitly limited to the drought period, which gives no permanent solution for schemes disconnected due to chronic default or court disputes.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
