The Maharashtra government power utility Mahavitaran has exaggerated the power consumption by farmers to cover up the transmission and distribution loss, said Pratap Hogade, senior leader of Janata Dal (Secular), at a press conference on Monday.

Mahavitaran has shown power consumption by 42 lakh agriculture pumpsets in the State, while the actual power consumed by pumps used by farmers is much less, he added.

Hogade, who is also the President of Maharashtra State Power Consumer Association, said Mahadiscom has shown fraudulent higher consumption of power by agriculture pumps so as to hide the massive power transmission losses, power thefts and corruption.

Mahavitaran, which distributes electricity to consumers across the State except Mumbai, has 2.53 crore customers.

Hogade said that these fact have emerged from the September 18 order of Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The order has pointed out that high tension agriculture pumps, which get 16-hour power supply, have an average yearly consumption of 1,404 units per horse power, while low tension agriculture pumps with six hours of power supply have an average yearly consumption of 1,333 units per horse power.

Given the erratic power supply to low tension agriculture pumps, such high consumption (1,333 units/per horse power) is not possible.

Mahavitaran is trying to cover up power thefts and losses by showing higher consumption of low tension agriculture pumps.

He said that due to such fraudulent numbers the agriculture pump owners on low tension power supply have to shell out more money.

The order of MERC, which is the State electricity regulator is self evident.

Therefore, if the Fadnavis government does not intervene in this matter, then Janata Dal (Secular) with other parties will launch a state-wide strike after December 22, he said.

Related Topics