Govt: Proposed amendments in power Bill won’t affect farmers
Item
Title
Govt: Proposed amendments in power Bill won’t affect farmers
Description
NEW DELHI: Farmers will not be affected by the direct subsidy payment mechanism in the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 and will continue to get power as they do now, power minister Raj Kumar Singh told TOI on Tuesday. Farmers protesting against the farm bills are also seeking scrapping of the subsidy payment mechanism and privatisation of discoms proposed in the bill. As per the draft bill, state governments will pay the subsidy on power supplied to farmers and other eligible consumers directly to discoms. “In a federal system, state governments are free to give subsidy. But they have to be accountable for it and take responsibility by paying the amount to discoms. I assure farmers that discoms will not disconnect their connections in case of any delay in subsidy. They will continue to get power. State governments can also give free power to farmers (but must pay for it to discoms),” Singh said. Singh said the proposed changes in the Electricity Act of 2003 will make consumer the king and give choice.
Publisher
The Times of India
Date
2020-12-16
Coverage
India