as part of the power sector reforms in Maharashtra, a government-owned distributor will separate feeders that service homes from those that feed agricultural pumpsets. Expected to complete over two years, the distributor claims the separation will ensure 24-hour power supply to homes in rural areas. Supply to agricultural pumpsets will be restricted to 8-10 hours at night. Most sections of society in the state agree with the separation, but there are complaints that farmers' grievances are not being addressed.

In Marathi, the land on which a village is located is called gaothan. Which is why the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company has called it the Gaothan Feeder Separation Scheme. The managing director of the company, Ajoy Mehta, outlined the need for this scheme at a conference organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Mumbai in January. The state faces a shortage of 4,000 megawatts, which results in daily power cuts