MUMBAI, Oct. 1 -- The state has almost doubled the additional tax on the sale of electricity to commercial and industrial users (additional Tose), to meet its target to provide solar pumps to farmers across Maharashtra. The decision, taken on Tuesday, comes as the state reels under a shortage of funds, thanks to welfare schemes that are draining the treasury. As a result, the Mahayuti government needs to raise additional revenue to help it meet its targets under the PM Kusum scheme, which provides solar pumps to farmers. By increasing the tax on power to commercial and industrial users, by 9.90 paise per unit, the state will raise Rs.834 crore per year. The state currently taxes these consumers at the rate of 11.04 paise per unit. Government sources pointed out that the financial crisis in the state has deepened after freebies announced by the Mahayuti government in the run-up to last year's assembly elections. Schemes placing a serious burden on taxpayers are the flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana, whose annual expenditure amounts to around Rs.36,000 crore, and schemes that provide free power to farmers for agricultural pumps, pegged at Rs.14,700 crore. Alongside, the state is bound to execute state- and centrally sponsored schemes, such as PM Kusum. Under this scheme, the target is to set up 5.5 lakh solar pumps by March 2026. These pumps are being installed by state-run power distribution company Mahavitaran and Mahaurja, which is concerned with renewable energy. Until now, 4,23,510 solar pumps have been installed, and installation of 1,26,490 pumps pending. "For PM Kusum, the state already generates Rs.930 crore per year by charging 11.04 paise as the electricity tax. With an increase of 9.90 paise per unit, it will collect an additional Rs.834 crore. This will be applicable for two years. The overall tax collected from these consumers will be more than Rs.3,591 crore," said an official. Electricity expert Ashok Pendse said, "The state government recently claimed that electricity charges are falling in Maharashtra. On the other hand, they are increasing the burden on commercial consumers, who will feel the heat as their consumption of power is already high," said Pendse....