Lucky draw scheme for agri power consumers in MP

BHOPAL: Announcing a lucky draw scheme for temporary agriculture power consumers, Madhya Pradesh government on Monday gave attractive instalment offers for clearance of dues to domestic and rural customers, whose electricity connections were snapped due to non-payment of bills.

Five consumers availing temporary power connections for agriculture pumps for one month and above, in every circle of Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board, will be chosen through lucky draw for presentation of 50 gm silver and 10 gm gold coins, respectively, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in a statement in the Assembly.

Concessions will be given to consumers availing temporary power connections for two months or above under the scheme, he said adding a 15 per cent waiver of energy charge for two-month temporary connections, 20 per cent on three-month connections and 25 per cent on four-month connections, will also be offered.

He also announced instalment schemes with waivers under different categories for payment of dues by domestic and rural consumers running flour mills, whose connections were cut due to non-payment and wished for its resumption.

Reacting sharply to Chouhan's announcement, Leader of Opposition Jamuna Devi alleged that the schemes announced by the government would not work and would meet the same fate as that of the announcements made earlier.

The BJP, after coming to power in the state, has hiked power tariffs thrice, she alleged adding it has failed to supply adequate power and repair transformers compounding plight of residents.