More power for farmers
Sept. 28 2009
Special Correspondent
Hindu

Electricity for six to seven hours for sowing of rabi crops

Domestic power to the rural areas throughout the night

JAIPUR: The three public sector power distribution companies in Rajasthan have decided to supply electricity for six to seven hours a day to farmers from October 1 for sowing of rabi crops. Besides, domestic power will be supplied to the rural areas throughout the night.

State Energy Minister Jitendra Singh announced here on Monday that the Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ajmer discoms would set three blocks across the State for supply of power to the agricultural consumers. The villages, where the domestic consumers are presently getting electricity for only six hours a day, will receive power supply during the night.

Mr. Singh said the State Government is committed to supplying sufficient electricity to farmers during the rabi season and disclosed that Rs.2,233 crore worth of additional power was purchased from April to September this year for supply to the farmers for irrigating the kharif crops in the State.

The three discoms have signed agreements for purchase of 2.50 crore units of electricity daily till March 31 next year at a total cost of Rs.3,262 crore to ensure sufficient power supply to the farmers in the fixed blocks. The discoms had supplied 17 per cent more power during the first six months of the current financial year in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year. Against 1,680 crore units of electricity supplied last year, 1,966 crore units have been supplied this year.