PUNJAB NEWS: Badal okays AP tariff for electric supply to allied farming sector

Chandigarh, July 1, 2013: In a significant step to boost Agriculture Diversification programme across the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today gave nod for the provision of subsidy to the tune of Rs. 1.16 crore for metered electric supply at Agriculture Power (AP) tariff to dairy, goatry, piggery and fish farmers besides others engaged in hi-tech and density cultivation of fruits & vegetables.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Badal cleared the file to this effect this morning.

It may be recalled that the Chief Minister held detailed meetings with various groups of farmers and agriculture experts regarding crop diversification program in state during mid of April last, where majority of dairy, piggery, goatry and fish farmers besides vegetables and fruits growers demanded electricity supply at AP tariff. Subsequently, the Financial Commissioner Development (FCD) took up this matter with Secretary Power, who in turn sent a comprehensive proposal in this behalf to the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) for seeking its approval.

Therefore, the PSERC allowed the state government to extend this facility to allied farming sector to motivate the farmers for agriculture diversification and directed the state government to incur the entire subsidy of Rs. 1.16 crore per annum for making the payment to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).