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Rajasthan govt announces several measures for industries; fixes consumption charges for electricity

Updated: Apr 04, 2020 05:08:47am
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Rajasthan govt announces several measures for industries; fixes consumption charges for electricity

Jaipur, Apr 4 (KNN) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has taken several important decisions to support farmers, industries and the general public to give relief at a time when there is complete lockdown which is incurring losses to the industries.

''Several decisions such as deferment of payment of electricity and water bills of industrial establishments, farmers and domestic consumers and providing assistance to farmers for agricultural activities taken by the Chief Minister will provide a great relief to the people of the state,'' an official release said.

The state government has also fixed the consumption charges of the electricity connection of industrial establishments in the months of March and April, which will be issued in April and May, in proportion to the lockdown period and has been deferred until May 31, 2020.

''This will provide big relief to about 4 lakh 68 thousand consumers of small, medium and big industrial units,'' it added.

Similarly, the fixed charge of electricity bills for the month of March and April of about 44 lakh connections of all home-based (commercial as well as tourism-related establishments, showrooms, shops, hotels, working hostels etc.) except state establishments and lockdown-free establishments have been Deferred until May 31, 2020.

The government has also decided to defer the bills issued in March and the bills to be issued in April and May. This will benefit about 43 lakh farmers of the state.

''In view of the difficulties faced by domestic consumers in paying electricity bills due to the Corona crisis, the state government has decided to suspend the payment of bills for the month of March and April for consumers consuming up to 450 units per month. Consumers will be able to pay these bills along with the bills to be issued in the month of May. This will provide relief to about one crore 5 lakh domestic consumers of the state,'' the statement further said.

The government stated that if all the consumers of agriculture and household categories pay the bills by May 34, 2020, then they will be given 5 percent discount on the amount paid in the upcoming bill.

''To provide this relief to consumers of all categories, the state government will provide about Rs 650 crore to DISCOMs,'' it added.

The Rajasthan government will pay premium of Rs 700 crore in the next one month under the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme. In the last one year, the state government has paid Rs 2034 crore as premium.

''Mini kits of free hybrid maize seed will be distributed to 5 lakh farmers of Scheduled Tribe to provide relief to the farmers in the corona crisis. There will be an expenditure of about 25 crores on this,'' the release added.

In view of the difficulties faced by economically weaker small and marginal farmers in agricultural operations, these farmers will be provided with free tractors and agricultural equipment on rent for harvesting, shredding and other agricultural activities in coordination with agricultural machinery manufacturers, it said.

''Under the kharif crop loan starting from April 16, 25 percent additional loan will be given to the farmers. In this way, a loan of about 8 thousand crores will be disbursed in Kharif 2020. About 20 lakh farmers of the state will get the benefit of the increased amount,'' the government said.

The government has also postponed the payment of water bills of March and April month. This decision will postpone revenue collection of about

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