Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has launched a Voluntary Disclosure Scheme (VDS) for Agricultural Tubewells (APs) ahead of the paddy sowing season so that farmers can use more powerful motors to extract water from the depleting groundwater reserves in the state. Can you can you
The scheme – it will come into effect from June 10 for all existing consumers – will regularize high power loads and allow farmers to expand their tubewells. Earlier in February, agricultural union leaders had sought permission to expand their tubewells during an agricultural year and welcomed the move.
No penalty will be imposed on the farmers who are covered under this scheme and who have increased the electricity load without the approval of PSPCL. Field officers will visit the fields of AP consumers and inspect the power load and regularize any unauthorized increase in the connected load. Under the scheme, it will be mandatory for the farmers to either remove the unauthorized ones or get it regularized.
In addition, any increase in load will be regularized under the VDS when it is determined that it will be used only for agricultural pumps.
PSPCL officials said that under the scheme, consumers of Andhra Pradesh will have to pay Rs 2500 per BHP and Rs 200 as security. Before VDS, farmers will have to pay Rs 4,750 per BHP in addition to the penalty charges to regularize the unauthorized increase in power load.
The circular for VDS issued on Friday said, “Keeping in view the urgent need to increase the load of AP consumers due to the onset of paddy season and fall in water level, this VDS scheme has been approved by the Punjab State Electricity Regulator. has been approved. Commission (PSERC). PSPCL has contemplated to start rectification work immediately to check the damage rate of distribution and transformer. The terms and conditions of the VDS scheme will be subject to the final order passed by the PSERC.
The scheme will provide the department with accurate data about the quantum of electricity consumed across the state.
Jagmohan Singh, general secretary of Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) Dakonda told Indian Express It is good that the government introduced such a scheme before the sowing of paddy as many farmers have already increased the capacity of their submersible motors due to the fall in groundwater level.
“Practicing agriculture is the source of livelihood of farmers and it is business for them. Farmers are forced to invest in high rated motors without crop growth due to increase in land holding or fall in water level,” he said.
Earlier in 2019, meetings were held between the officials of PSPCL and various farmer unions, in which the issue of genuine consumers was given to the farmers outside the country. His absence will hinder the completion of formalities. VDS solves this problem, as farmers can now control the electricity load without involving the actual consumers.