The Rabi season has begun in Bihar, and to assist farmers with irrigation, the state government has launched a scheme to provide free electricity connections for agricultural pump sets. This initiative is aimed at making irrigation more affordable and accessible for farmers. Under the Chief Minister's Agricultural Electricity Connection Scheme, the state government is offering electricity connections for agricultural pumps to ensure that farmers face fewer difficulties during this season.
According to media reports, under the Chief Minister's Agricultural Electricity Connection Scheme, the agriculture department has evaluated 7.20 lakh diesel pump sets in the state, of which 3.60 lakh pump sets have already been provided electricity connections. The target is to connect a total of 4.80 lakh pump sets, including the remaining 3.60 lakh and 1.20 lakh new pump sets. The government's goal is to provide electricity connections to 50,000 pump sets by March 2025, with an additional 1.50 lakh connections in the financial year 2025-26. By September 2026, a total of 1.80 lakh pump sets will be provided with agricultural connections.
Farmers often rely on diesel pumps for irrigation, but due to the high cost of diesel and excessive fuel consumption, these pumps are more expensive than electric pumps. The Bihar government aims to provide free electricity connections for agricultural pumps to encourage farmers to use more affordable and efficient electric pumps instead of diesel-powered ones. Additionally, the state government offers subsidies on electricity bills, making it ten times cheaper for farmers to use electric pumps for irrigation compared to diesel pumps.
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The Bihar government also provides subsidies for diesel pumps. For irrigation of Kharif crops, farmers can receive a diesel subsidy of ₹75 per liter, with up to ₹750 per acre available for irrigation. For crops like rice, jute, and other Kharif varieties, subsidies of up to ₹1,500 per acre for two irrigations and ₹2,250 per acre for three irrigations are provided. Under this scheme, each farmer can benefit from subsidies for irrigation on a maximum of eight acres.
This scheme is designed to provide better and more affordable agricultural facilities to farmers in Bihar, reducing their financial burden and lowering the cost of farming.
Required Documents for Application: Farmers applying for this scheme will need only two key documents: proof of identity and land documents. They are also requested to provide the complete address of the location where the pump set is installed, ensuring that the electricity connection is provided on time and at the correct location.
Where to Apply for Free Electricity Connections: If you are a farmer in Bihar and wish to benefit from this scheme, you need to apply through the designated channels. The state government has announced the provision of free electricity connections for agricultural pumps, which will come at no cost to the farmers. To apply for this connection, farmers can use the mobile app issued by the state government, visit the distribution company portal, or contact the local electricity offices.
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