Punjab government issues notification for 2nd phase of 'pani bachao paise kamao' scheme

Ludhiana, August 7, 2019: The Punjab government last year launched a 'Pani Bacho Paisa Kamao' scheme on direct benefit transfer of electricity to agricultural consumers (DBTE).

Following the success of the pilot project of the scheme, the state government has decided to start its second phase. This phase will cover 250 feeders across the state. Therefore, Punjab Government has also issued notification.

While giving this information, Additional Deputy Commissioner (D) Sanyam Aggarwal informed that under the pilot project, the scheme was implemented in six feeders of district Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Fatehgarh Sahib, which was fully supported by the farmers. The scheme has been of great benefit to the farmers and the Punjab government. This scheme has also been proven very beneficial in saving underground water and electricity.

Aggarwal informed that in the second phase, 16 feeders of district Ludhiana were being added, which included Loharmajra, Jallowal, Dulwan, Barwali Lehi, Julamgarh, Manupur, Sirthala, Turmari, Loharmajra-2, Gobindpura, Chakmaafi, Hans Kalan, Deharka, Deharka-2, Akhara and Chhiniwal New Feeder.

Aggarwal highlighted the importance of this project in view of the serious problem of falling groundwater in the state and said that under this scheme no power consumption was recovered from any farmer. The decision to provide direct benefits to the farmers have been taken to address the problem of falling water levels.

He said that under this scheme, money was subjected to transfer directly into the accounts of the farmers, who can pay their electricity bills with this money. If a farmer consumes an agricultural power of Rs 50,000 annually, he will be paid for it directly. Even if the farmer saves the electricity bill through low consumption, the remaining money will go into the farmer's pocket.

He said that the scheme aimed at encouraging farmers to conserve underground water with minimal use of water. He cautioned that if the water crisis was not resolved on priority basis then Punjab would have to face a lot of worse situation in future. He said that the pilot project has proved beneficial for both the Punjab government and the farmers.

He said that the scheme would also help promote crop diversification in the state. This would make rationalization of subsidies and prevent the loss of transmission and distribution of electricity. It will also help to prevent wasteful consumption of electricity. He appealed to the farmers to take full advantage of this scheme.