Maharashtra to Shift Government Power Connections to Prepaid Mode

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved the implementation of a unified composite electricity billing system for all state government offices and government establishments within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) limits that receive power from the BEST undertaking. It also decided to convert all government electricity connections under BEST to the prepaid mode with effect from April 1, 2026.

The new system will enable electricity bills to be paid through a single digital platform with an auto-debit facility, helping prevent delays in payments and avoid penalties and interest charges.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Mantralaya.

A Chief Minister's Office (CMO) official said all departments had been directed to complete registration on the composite billing portal and verify details of their electricity connections within 30 days. The Finance Department will establish a mechanism for advance fund allocation, while the Energy Department will oversee quarterly reconciliation of accounts.

“Government offices will also benefit from the ‘Go Green’ initiative, which offers rebates on digital billing, along with concessions available for prepaid electricity connections,” the official said.

“The initiative will ensure timely settlement of electricity dues, eliminating delayed payment charges and the additional financial burden of interest ranging from 12 to 15 per cent. It is also expected to reduce manual work involved in bill verification, fund allocation, payment processing and account reconciliation, thereby improving transparency, efficiency and ease of administration,” the official added.

In another decision, the cabinet approved the inclusion of landless farm labourers under the ‘Gopinath Munde Farmer Accident Security Ex-Gratia Scheme’, extending accident compensation to a category that has so far remained outside its ambit. The government described it as the country’s first social security initiative of its kind for agricultural labourers.

Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal said it was the first time they would receive accident insurance support. “The scheme provides ex gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh in the event of accidental death or permanent total disability, and Rs 1 lakh in cases of partial disability,” he said.

The cabinet also extended the scheme by three years, until March 31, 2031, and expanded its coverage from two members of a farmer’s family to all family members.