The BJP-led government in Gujarat announced on Tuesday it will waive off electricity bills of connection holders in rural areas to the tune of Rs 650 crore, a day after the Congress dispensation in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh ordered a farm loan waiver within hours of taking charge. And his counterpart in Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Bhagel, who too took charge on Monday, followed suit and announced his government will waive farm loans worth Rs 6,100 crore of around 1.66 million farmers. “Congress and all opposition parties will force Modi to give farm loan waiver to farmers… Will not allow Modi to sleep till he waives the loan,” Gandhi said on Parliament House premises on Tuesday. “Total 6.22 lakh connection holders in rural areas across the state will be benefited with this waiver to the tune of Rs 650 crore pending electricity bills,” Gujarat’s energy minister Saurabh Patel said. The minister said these connections were cut off due to power theft and non-payment of bills.

Source: Hindustan Times December 18, 2018 09:22 UTC