Discom changes norms for issuing agri connections
The Jaipur Discom on Friday came up with new guidelines for issuing agriculture power connections reversing its earlier decision that had put the onus of installing power infrastructure on farmers.
The discom officials said that the guidelines were aimed at speeding up the work of issuing agriculture power connections. “The guidelines have been changed to ensure that the work on the pending (power) connections of applicants are not stuck due to lack of installation of infrastructure by the applicant ahead in the queue,” said RG Gupta, the chairman and managing director of the discom.
During this year’s budget speech, chief minister Vasundhara Raje had announced that 2 lakh agriculture power connections pending since 2012 will be allotted by March 2019. Official figures reveal that about 25,000 new electricity connections for agriculture consumers have been issued in the state so far. “The discom will meet the target of 2 lakh power connections by November or December as the work of issuing connections will gain momentum after the monsoon,” Gupta said.
According to the new norms, the discom will install power infrastructure such as sub-station and cable. It will also carry out installation work for the consumer procuring the equipment.
In May, a circular issued by the discom had stated that those who want immediate agriculture connections will have to install power infrastructure, including laying of electricity line and installation of power sub-station, on their own. Besides, the consumers had to ensure its security and maintenance. The discom was to supply the material such as wires and reimburse ~750 per pole (measured as standard distance between two poles).
The circular had put many farmers in a fix as they don’t have any expertise in installation of power infrastructure and were unwilling to hire contractors for the job.
According to official data, about 2.90 lakh farmers in Rajasthan have applied for the agriculture power connection.
In an indication that the guideline has been changed in the wake of assembly elections in Rajasthan, scheduled later this year, the Jaipur discom stated that the new norms will be applicable only for the current financial year (2018-19).
JAIPUR: