PSPCL moots ‘Pani Bachao, Paisa Kamao’, to reward farmers for saving electricity

According to the details of the scheme, farmers were encouraged to install automatic meter reader systems on their tubewells to measure the amount of power consumed. The water meters will be installed free of cost.

“We will calculate the average consumption of power Rabi and Kharif season by a tubewell based on its sanctioned load. So for example, if a particular tubewell’s fixed limit as per its sanctioned load comes out to be 1500 units per month, but it consumes only 1200 units, then we will pay the farmer Rs 1200 (Rs 4 per unit x 300 units),” said Ajaypal Singh Atwal , general secretary of Punjab State Electricity Board Engineers Association.

He added that the farmers under the current scheme therefore not only get free electricity, but they also stand a chance for earning some money as well .

PSPCL officials made it clear that the current scheme will have no bearing on the free power scheme that is already in place and the same will continue as usual. The aim, a PSPCL official said, was ultimately to save water, conserve electricity and check the depleting water table in the state.

According to details, Punjab has an estimated 13.90 lakh tubewell connections. In the first phase, PSPCL will implement the scheme on 256 feeders, which will cover at least 50,984 tubewell connections. The power corporation officials said that till now, 4,044 tubewell connection holders had signed up to get meters installed, which is just 7.93% of the total under Phase 1.

Officials said that the scheme holds all the more importance as paddy season was about to start in the state and around 66 per cent of the total agricultural power consumption of Punjab was done during the paddy season — between June – September.

Information available with PSPCL revealed that a total of 137,626 lakh units were consumed by agricultural sector last year, out of which 18,535 lakh units were consumed in June, followed by 22823 lakh units in July , 27105 lakh units in August, and 20937 lakh units in September.

“If farmers start availing this incentive policy, then we will pay them for saving power. The free power scheme will continue as usual. Those who consume less power will will not be charged anything, but will get an additional incentive,” said PSPCL authorities while talking with The Indian Express.

SR Vashishat, Chief Engineer (Distribution) Central zone, PSPCL said ,”This scheme will give farmers a chance to earn money. The farmers will be receiving Rs 4 per unit on the energy saved. In central zone, which is Ludhiana and nearby areas, the scheme will benefit farmers having their pump connections with feeders in Bambiwal, Nawajipur, Dhanoa, Sunderpura, Haripur and Kharora.”

Vashishat said that to avail the benefit, the power connection should be in the name of the farmer and the farmers have to submit an enrollment form along with a copy of Aadhaar Card and copy of bank passbook.

He said that under this scheme, a limit of power consumption has been fixed by the department for both Kharif and Rabi season and if consumption is below the fixed limit, the farmers will get Rs 4 per unit.