ISLAMABAD: In a move to support farmers and small-scale electricity users, the Power Division has written to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) with a proposal to offer relief to agricultural tube well operators and consumers using up to 300 units of electricity.
Federal Energy Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari announced an important step for agricultural tube well users and consumers using up to 300 units of electricity. He said that the benefit of reduced monthly fuel cost adjustments will now be extended to these consumers as well.
According to the letter from the Power Division, the relief of lower monthly fuel adjustments was stopped for consumers using up to 300 units since June 2015. Similarly, agricultural tube wells have not received this benefit since December 2010.
The letter to NEPRA states that passing on the reduced fuel costs to agricultural tube well users and consumers with up to 300 units will further lower their monthly electricity bills.
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In another recent development in Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a major project under her vision of “Happy and Prosperous Farmers.” Following initiatives like the Kisan Card, agricultural mechanization, and internships, she has now started the Agricultural Tube Well Solarization Project.
Through a draw system, 8,000 tube wells across Punjab will be shifted to solar energy in the first phase. This is expected to save the average farmer more than 10,000 rupees daily and over 325,000 rupees monthly.
The Punjab government will provide subsidies: 500,000 rupees for a 10-kilowatt solar system, 750,000 rupees for a 15-kilowatt system, and 1 million rupees for a 20-kilowatt system. Over 530,000 farmers applied for this project, with 385,000 found eligible for the lottery.
About 87% of diesel-run and 13% of electricity-run tube wells will switch to solar energy. The Chief Minister has set a target to complete this first phase by June, saying it will reduce crop production costs and improve farmers’ lives. She added that every project, including the Kisan Card and agricultural internships, is bringing ease and progress for farmers.
