Lok Sabha Question No. 4839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Use of Electricity in Farming Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Anto  Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4839 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23 RD   JULY, 2019

## USE OF ELECTRICITY IN FARMING SECTOR

## 4839.    SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government intends to double the income of farmers by 2020;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  noticed  that  the  use  of  electricity  in  farming  sector  is increasing every year;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has any proposal to give free electricity to the farmers for their agricultural purposes; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) & (b):      The Government had constituted an Inter-ministerial Committee in April, 2016 to examine  issues  relating  to  'Doubling  of  Farmers  Income'  and  recommend  strategies  to achieve  the  same.  The  Committee  has  submitted  its  Report  to  the  Government  in September,  2018.  An  Empowered  Body  has  also  been  set  up  to  monitor  and  review  the progress against the recommendations. The Committee on Doubling Farmers' Income (DFI) recognises agriculture as a value led enterprise and has identified seven major sources of growth, viz., improvement  in  crop  productivity; improvement  in  livestock productivity; resource  use  efficiency  or  savings  in  the  cost  of  production;  increase  in  the  cropping intensity;  diversification  towards  high  value  crops;  improvement  in  real  prices  received  by farmers; and shift from farm to non-farm occupations. Several initiatives have already been rolled  out  on  the  recommendations  of  DFI  Committee.  All  programmes  of  Ministry  of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare are aligned to achieving these recommendations.

(c) & (d): The use of electricity in Agriculture sector is increasing every year. The details of the electricity consumed for agriculture purposes during last ten years is annexed.

(e) & (f): As per provisions of Electricity Act 2003, respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions  (SERCs)  determine  the  electricity  tariff  for  retail  supply  of  electricity  to  end consumers.  Section  65  of  the  Electricity  Act,  2003  provides  that  State  Government  can provide  subsidy  to  any  class  of  consumers  in  the  tariff  determined  by  the  SERCs.  Hence Central  Government  has  no  role  in  providing  free  electricity  to  the  farmers  for  their agricultural purposes.

## Annexure

Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4839 part (c) & (d) regarding Use of Electricity in Farming Sector

| Electricity Consumption in Agriculture purposes   | Electricity Consumption in Agriculture purposes   | Electricity Consumption in Agriculture purposes   |
|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| Sl. No.                                           | Financial year                                    | Electricity Consumption (GWh)                     |
| 1.                                                | 2008-09                                           | 107767                                            |
| 2.                                                | 2009-10                                           | 119492                                            |
| 3.                                                | 2010-11                                           | 126377                                            |
| 4.                                                | 2011-12                                           | 140960                                            |
| 5.                                                | 2012-13                                           | 147462                                            |
| 6.                                                | 2013-14                                           | 152744                                            |
| 7.                                                | 2014-15                                           | 168913                                            |
| 8.                                                | 2015-16                                           | 173185                                            |
| 9.                                                | 2016-17                                           | 191151                                            |
| 10.                                               | 2017-18                                           | 199247                                            |

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