DNA Edit: Holistic view needed - Agriculture is pulling down power sector reforms
Maharashtra, otherwise among the more developed states in India, is a classic case of why the power sector has not taken off in India despite two-and-a-half decades of economic liberalisation. Consumers are simply not prepared to pay for using electricity and the country’s mammoth power distribution system is in a mess.The Maharashtra government may have to bail out its cash-strapped electricity distribution company MahaVitaran in view of rising arrears, which come mainly from agricultural consumers. MahaVitaran’s total arrears have increased from Rs 32,627 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 40,278 crore in 2018-19. Of this sum, the rise in dues from agriculture consumers alone is Rs 30,199 crore!MahaVitaran’s total consumer base of 2.60 crore includes.....