CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has completed all arrangements to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers during the paddy season.
Announcing this while addressing a press conference here today, Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has issued directives to promote DSR (Direct Sowing of paddy) in the state. In view of this, the schedule for direct sowing of paddy has been released earlier than in previous years.
The Cabinet Minister further stated that it takes approximately 3, 800 liters of water to produce one kilogram of rice using traditional methods, whereas the DSR method can save 400-500 liters of water per kilogram of rice. In addition, the state government provides a subsidy of ₹1, 500 per acre to farmers who adopt the DSR method.
The Power Minister added that uninterrupted electricity supply for 8 hours daily will be ensured during the paddy season, and this duration may be extended if necessary. Out of the 15 existing power units in the state, 14 are currently operating at full capacity, and the remaining unit will be functional within the next three days. He noted that last year, the peak electricity demand in the state was 16, 058 MW, and this year, arrangements have been made for 17, 000 MW. Furthermore, the power plants have a 30-day coal reserve, and transmission infrastructure in the state has also been upgraded.
The Power Minister stated that paddy sowing, including direct sowing (DSR), will be conducted in a phased manner according to the prescribed schedule. Direct sowing is permitted from May 15 to May 31, 2025. From June 1, sowing will be allowed in areas near the international border and those with canal irrigation facilities, including Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Fazilka. From June 5, sowing can begin in Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Fatehgarh Sahib, and Hoshiarpur. Sowing in the remaining districts — Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar — will commence from June 9.
An 8-hour daily power supply for DSR areas has already started from May 15. For other areas, the 8-hour supply will be implemented in accordance with the sowing schedule issued by the state government.
Harbhajan Singh ETO assured that the government is fully committed to supporting farmers during the sowing season and has taken all necessary measures to ensure the availability of adequate power. He also confirmed that uninterrupted power supply will be ensured for domestic consumers and industries during this paddy season.