Gandhinagar, 28 February, 2012

In a major decision, the government of Gujarat today made an announcement to give agriculture power connections in 57 ‘dark zone’ talukas of the state.

This move has snatched away a major election issue from the pocket of opposition Congress party.

Minister Shri Nitinbhai Patel in his statement in Gujarat assembly under rule no. 44 said that the farmers of 57 talukas of the state will now be able to get agricultural power connection provided that they use drip irrigation system. He announced 60% subsidy (10% more compare to other areas) to dark zone areas for this cause. The govt will agri power connections to farmers in dark zone areas on priority basis.

Dark zones are “over exploited” and “critical blocks” in the state where level of ground water has significantly gone down due to uncontrolled lifting of ground water for agricultural use.

The Government had issued Resolution dated 19.9.2001, which states that the ground water levels are very low in certain areas. Therefore, Government has decided not to permit to draw water by tube wells in the interest of geo-hydrology as well as in the interest of public at large. The Government had also issued another Government Resolution dated 16.12.2003, in which it was decided that there are at least 57 Talukas declared as Dark Zone Area based on the assessment done by the Government. According to the said GR no electric connection should be given in these areas.

With today’s statement, the govt has canceled its year 2003 GR.

Over Exploited Blocks: Dascroi, Dholka-Distt. Ahmedabad, City-Deodar, Distt. Banaskantha, City-Dehgam, Gandhinagar, Kalol, Mansa Distt.-Gandhinagar, City-Mangrol, Distt.-Junagadh, City- Rapar, Bhachau, Mandvi Distt.-Kachchh, City –Becharaji, Kadi, Kheralu, Mahesana, Satlasana, Unjha, Vijapur, Visnagar Distt.-Mahesana, City- Chanasma, Patan Dishpur Distt.-Patan, City- Idar, Vadali Distt.-Sabarkantha, City-Vadodara, Distt.-Vadodara.

Critical Blocks: City-Derroj-Rampura, Distt. –Ahmedabad, City-Bhavnagar, Distt.- Bhavnagar, City- Manavadar, Vanthali, Distt.-Junagadh, City- Rapar, Distt.-Kachchh, City- Mehmdabad, Distt.-Kheda, City- Vadnagar, Distt.-Mahesana, City-Gondal, Distt. Rajkot, City-Modasa, Distt.-Sabarkantha.

Congress party’s reaction

Gujarat Congress President Shri Arjun Modhwadia reacting to state govt announcement on dark zone today said that 1 million agriculture power connections are pending, while the state govt has announced only 33,000 connections in dark zone areas that too with rider of making sprinkler, drip irrigation mandatory. In view of this, the govt decision is betrayal of farmers, Modhwadia said.

Power minister’s reaction

Rejecting Congress charges, the minister of state for Power Shri Saurabh Patel said:In last three years 1,27,000 agri power connections are given. In last 10 months, more than 50,000 power connections are given. By the end of this year this figure will reach 75,000. While the state government spends around Rs 1.70 lakh for connection of power upto 10 HP, it takes only Rs 1430 from a tribal farmer for service connection, agreement. In the case of other farmers the govt takes only Rs 8600. Earlier when per unit cost of power for the govt was Rs 87.00, only 57.00 paisa per unit were charged to farmers, thanks to Rs 300 crore subsidy. Presently per unit power cost is Rs 4.4, but farmers are charged only 49 paisa per unit thanks to Rs 3000 crore subsidy that the govt gives.