Gandhinagar:

Even as despite over 54% monsoon rain this year so far several areas of Gujarat have not received sufficient rain for sowing and other agricultural purposes, the state government is contemplating to extend the electricity supply time to farmers in rain scanty areas of Central and North Gujarat and Kutch.

If the monsoon is not active in these areas soon, the government is likely to extend the power supply hours from existing 8 hours a day to 10 hrs a day ie is an extension of 2 hours.

Informed sources in Energy Department today said that Agriculture Minister R C Faldu had a telephonic chat with Energy Minister Saurabh Patel in this regard. The matter is to be referred to CM Rupani for taking a final call.

Agriculture department has got reports about scanty rain and delay in sowing and other agricultural activities in these areas. Acting on these reports the Agriculture minister as an immediate measure talked to Energy Minister.

Sources said that if the monsoon did not get active soon in these areas, CM is likely to give the nod for extension of electricity supply time for respite to farmers.

DeshGujarat