Mumbai, May 29 (KNN) In a bid to encourage industries including Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Marathwada and Vidarbha, the Maharashtra government has extended the electricity bill waiver scheme for industries in Vidarbha-Marathwada by five more years.

“The reason for this scheme is to encourage more businesses come to Vidarbha and Marathwada and for the region’s industrial development,” said Chandrashekhar Bawankule, State Power Minister.

Commenting on this, President of Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA), Ram Bhogale told KNN India that the scheme is definitely going to help the industries to stay competitive for next five years.”

He said that the backward region of Marathwada and Vidarbha have been enjoying this benefit and because of this benefit there are many power industries that have come up in that area.

Thanking government for extending this scheme, Bhogale said “Because of this scheme, industries basically have become more competitive and has offset the rising transportation costs from major markets like Mumbai and transportation cost of raw material from Jawaharlal Lal Nehru port.

He stated “These costs offset because of this relief and has helped in the industrialization of this area.”

The Industrial Policy 2019 had announced a power bill waiver to micro, small and medium industries in C, D, D+ (State rankings based on the need for industrial improvement) and Naxal-affected areas.

Power Minister, Bawankule said the scheme has till date resulted in an improvement in employment and an increase in the number of industries in Vidarbha and Marathwada in the past five years.

“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,” said the minister.