India, July 16 -- The Maharashtra government will waive Rs.48,000 crore in outstanding electricity dues of farmers, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday, saying the move will help cultivators become eligible for fresh loans.

The announcement was made at a BJP Kisan Morcha event held to thank the chief minister for the recently announced farm loan waiver of around Rs.40,000 crore, expected to benefit nearly 5.6 million farmers. Fadnavis said the electricity dues waiver is in addition to the state's existing policy of not charging electricity bills from farmers using agricultural pumps up to 7.5 HP.

He also said 76% of Maharashtra's farmers now receive daytime electricity through solar pump and solar agricultural feeder...