Govt wants direct line to farms

The Centre is pressing states to separate electricity feeder for domestic and agricultural supply, replicating the Gujarat model that has cut power losses by 20 per cent in five years. The move is expected to enhance power supply and reduce transmission and distribution losses.

The Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre is also working on a subsidy model to states that opt for separate electric feeders for domestic use and agricultural supply.

In a letter addressed to small business persons across the country, Modi said, “Irregular and costly power hits you the most in running your business. We are helping state governments separate rural agricultural supply through the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana to ensure you get 24X7 power.”

The model is currently at work in Gujarat where a separate agricultural electricity feeder has brought down transmission and distribution losses from 35 per cent to 15-19 per cent in five years. The states, however, are not forthcoming to adopt the policy fearing political backlash.

Modi has also offered self employment and talent utilisation or SETU mechanism to support all aspects of a start-up business, from credit to incubation. Small businesses immediately responded to Modi’s letter by saying it was for the first time in the country that any prime minister has talked about “grossly neglected small business of India and has admitted its importance in economy and nation building”.

Confederation of All India Traders in a communication sent to the prime minister urged him to dedicate his next ‘Man Ki Baat’ (a radio programme hosted by prime minister Modi in which he freely addresses people of the country), to traders. Modi had addressed farmers in the country in the last episode of ‘Man ki Baat’.