Farmers to face zero hike in electricity tariff: Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday assured the Congress government in Rajasthan that it will not increase electricity tariff for farmers in Rajasthan for the next five years.

Speaking at a kisan rally in Jaipur, Gehlot said: "Around 1 lakh agricultural connections will be given until June this year and there will be no increase in the electricity tariff in Rajasthan".

Gehlot, who thanked thousands of farmers present at the rally, said that in last BJP tenure, the condition of farmers has been miserable and that the state witnessed the highest number of farmer suicides.

"Farmers' suicides, fight for employment were seen during Vasundhara Raje's regime," Gehlot said at the rally.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that Rahul Gandhi has been raising issues about farmers, youths, inflation and corruption, whereas the BJP made false promises like "achche din ayenge", forming a government on that basis.

Saying his government was pro-farmer and pro-people, Gehlot said: "Farmers with 10 hectares of land, who set up food processing units, will not need to go in for land use change, and the Rajasthan government will give Rs 1000 crores to start procurement under the minimum support price if central funds don't come on time".