Gold and silver coins for MP power consumers

Bhopal, July 24 (UNI) In a unique incentive scheme for farmers in Madhya Pradesh, the electricity distribution companies have launched a lucky draw scheme to give silver and gold coins to selected consumers taking temporary power connections for agriculture pumps.

Making a suo moto statement in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today announced a slew of concessions in payment of arrears to facilitate electricity reconnection to domestic customers and flour mills and incentives like silver and gold coins to selected farmers taking temporary connections for agriculture pumps. The consumers could take benefit of the scheme upto November 30 this year.

He said three power distribution companies had declared 'Suvidha' scheme for payment of arrears at one go or in instalments for reconnecting power supply to domestic consumers and flour mills in rural areas. Surcharge will be fully exempt if the arrears were paid in one instalment, he said.

Another option available to the consumers to get 75 percent exemption from payment of surcharge is to pay the arrears in 18 instalments by flour mills and in monthly instalments by domestic consumers, Mr Chouhan said.

Those having arrears upto Rs 5,000 will have to pay 10 per cent of arrears in first instalment and the remaining at Rs 60 per month.

In cases of arrears upto Rs 10,000, 10 per cent arrears will have to be paid in first instalment and the remaining at Rs 100 per month and for those having arrears above Rs 10,000, 10 per cent will have to be paid in first instalment and the remaining at Rs 150 per month.

Along with gold and silver coins to selected consumers, concession in payment of energy cess will be given to those farmers taking temporary connections for agriculture pumps for more than a month. Fifteen per cent concession in energy cess will be given to those taking temporary connection upto two month, 20 per cent for connections upto three months and 25 per cent for more than four months.

At the circle level, lucky draw will be held every month to select five farmers taking temporary connection for upto one month to reward them with silver coin of 50 gram each, while five others taking connection for more than a month will be selected for gold coin of 10 grams each.

The aim was to provide relief to such farmers taking connection for two or more months, Mr Chouhan said.

Reacting to the Chief Minister's announcement, Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi said the BJP government had started a ''black chapter by disconnecting power supply to entire villages. Despite increase in tariff thrice, there was no check on interrupted power supply'' and consumers were getting inflated bills. No attempt was being made to give relief to consumers on the recommendations of the Power Regulatory Authority.

Mr Chouhan's announcement was a just gimmick, she said, adding the need was to energise the entire state.

UNI SP 1424