The Hindu Business Line : TN extends power subsidy to all farmers

THE Tamil Nadu Government today said it was extending power subsidy, hitherto given to small and marginal farmers, to all farmers in view of the prevailing drought in the State.

In an official press release, the Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, said this would cost the exchequer an additional Rs 40.5 crore for the remainder of this financial year and Rs 81 crore in a full financial year.

The Government would now give Rs 1,000 to each farmer with a 3 HP pumpset and Rs 1,250 to those with 5 HP or more and the farmers could pay the money to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board for the power they consumed. This would cover 6.76 lakh more farmers.

Last year, after the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission asked the electricity board to levy power tariff on farm pumpsets, the Government said it would pay a direct subsidy to the small and marginal farmers, in all numbering 8.56 lakh, which would cost the Government Rs 90 crore a year.

Ms Jayalalitha said she had received representations from farmers requesting the subsidy scheme to be extended to all farmers in view of the drought.

More Stories on : Power | Agricultural Policy | Tamil Nadu

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