Maharashtra Approves Unified Electricity Billing for Govt Offices
All departments have been directed to complete registration on the composite billing portal and verify details of their electricity connections within 30 days
MUMBAI: In order to avoid delays in electricity bill payments on its part, the Maharashtra Government on Tuesday approved the implementation of a unified composite electricity billing system of the BEST undertaking for all state government offices and government offices within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) limits. The government 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 payment delays, penalties and interest charges.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mantralaya.
An official from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that all departments have 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 the mechanism for advance fund allocation, while the Energy Department will oversee quarterly reconciliation of accounts.
"The unified platform will provide a single dashboard displaying electricity bills, power consumption, outstanding dues, transactions and management information system (MIS) reports. 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.
At present, under BEST's authorised code system, there are 10,017 consumers across 322 groups and 869 state government consumers across 104 groups. These consumers will benefit from the new composite billing system.
"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 said.
In another decision, the state cabinet on Tuesday approved the inclusion of landless farm labourers under the Gopinath Munde Farmer Accident Security Ex-Gratia Scheme, extending accident compensation to a section that has historically remained outside the ambit of such protection. This is a first-of-its-kind social security initiative in the country for the state's agricultural labourers. Maharashtra Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal played a key role in bringing landless labourers under the Ex-Gratia scheme. Mr Jaiswal told this newspaper that it is the first time landless labourers will be provided security cover. "The scheme provides Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia assistance in the event of accidental death or permanent total disability, and Rs 1 lakh for partial disability, to landless labourers," the Minister of State said.
The cabinet also extended the scheme by three years, till March 31, 2031, and expanded its coverage from two members of a farmer's family to all family members.
