India, Sept. 10 -- Ahead of the zilla parishad elections across Maharashtra, the Mahayuti government on Tuesday approved grants worth over Rs.1,758 crore over two financial years for electricity tariff concessions in irrigation schemes to please farmers, who will be a major vote bank in these polls.

The decision is expected to benefit over a million farmers in the state who receive water for their land from 1,789 irrigation schemes, officials said.

The elections to 32 zilla parishads and 336 panchayat samitis in Maharashtra are expected to be held in the next three to four months. These polls would be crucial in deciding which party rules rural Maharashtra.

With an eye on these polls, the state cabinet on Tuesday approved grants totall...