Farmers to get adequate power supply for irrigation

Patna, Aug 23: Admitting an emergent situation before the state due to scanty rainfall Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced to supply power to the drought-hit areas on priority basis for irrigation purpose.

Mr Kumar cautioned Patnaites to remain prepared to face more load shedding, including in VIP areas, as power supply would be diverted to rural areas to save crops. He said here last night that load shedding would be for a minimum of two hours every day in Patna and other towns.

He futher said farmers applying for power connection would be provided with the facility within 48 hours. This facility would be available to those farmers too, against whom arrears were due.A special scheme was also being formulated by the Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) for the farmers whose power supply had been discontinued owing to huge arrears. Under this scheme their delayed payment surcharge would be waived.

Meanwhile, Energy Minister Vijendra Prasad Yadav explained that power cuts would be fixed with a prior notice to the people. Other measures were also being taken up to arrange for power supply in the rural areas he added.

|UNI