Patna, Vikas Kumar Ojha, December 22nd 2024: Providing electricity connections for irrigation purposes has become a top priority for the Energy Department and power companies, with agricultural connections being issued on a war footing. As a result, the target for the financial year 2024-25 is set to be completed nearly three months ahead of schedule, according to the Secretary of the Energy Department.
Under the Fourth Agricultural Roadmap for Bihar, out of the total 7.20 lakh diesel-operated pump sets used for agriculture in the state, 3.60 lakh pump sets have already been electrified under previous schemes.
The Energy Department has set a target to provide electricity connections to a total of 4.80 lakh pump sets, including 1.20 lakh new pump sets in addition to the remaining 3.60 lakh. The goal is to complete this target by September 2026. Of this, 1.50 lakh pump sets are scheduled to be electrified in the financial year 2024-25, and as of now, 1.46 lakh farmers have already received the electric connection. This means that by December, more agricultural connections have been provided than the set target.
Secretary of Energy, Pankaj Kumar Pal, mentioned that the implementation of this scheme is progressing at a war-like pace, with farmers showing great enthusiasm. It is certain that the target will be achieved well ahead of schedule.
He further added that under the Chief Minister’s Agricultural Electricity Scheme, one of the seven resolutions of the state government, the Energy Department is committed to ensuring irrigation water reaches every field. The department is closely monitoring and prioritizing the implementation of this scheme.
Secretary Pal also highlighted that the Energy Department, Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited, and both power distribution companies – South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited – are conducting extensive awareness campaigns at the local level through camps and other means to ensure that farmers benefit from the scheme. Farmers are actively participating in this program across all districts to avail the electricity connections.
Under the Chief Minister’s Agricultural Electricity Scheme, the electricity connection is provided completely free of charge. To make the process easy, farmers only need to submit a copy of their Aadhaar card and any land-related documents.
It is noteworthy that the cost of irrigation through electricity is now more than 10 times cheaper than using diesel.
