In a bid to give a boost to its agriculture diversification program, Punjab government on Monday approved a proposal for providing Rs 1.16 crore subsidy for metered electric supply at Agriculture Power (AP) tariff to dairy, goatry, piggery and fish farmers. In addition, the facility would also be provided to others engaged in hi-tech and density cultivation of fruits and vegetables.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal cleared the file on Monday, an official spokesperson said.
Earlier, Chief Minister had held detailed meetings with various groups of farmers and agriculture experts regarding crop diversification programme in the state in April this year.
Majority of dairy, piggery, goatry and fish farmers besides vegetables and fruits growers had demanded electricity supply at AP tariff during these deliberations.
Consequently, 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.
Soon after, the state power regulator - PSERC - allowed the state government to extend this facility to allied farming sector to motivate the farmers for agriculture diversification. PSERC also directed the state government to incur entire subsidy of Rs1.16 crore per annum for making the payment to the Punjab State Power Corporation limited (PSPCl).