Gujarat to issue 1 lakh electricity connections to farmers in dark zones

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat government today decided to issue one lakh electricity connections to the farmers in the areas identified as `dark zones', at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore.

Government spokesperson Saurabh Patel said here that the decision was taken at the meeting of high powered committee, chaired by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, which reviewed the looming drought-like situation.

In dark zones, government had almost stopped giving new power connections, for the fear that electricity would be used to draw the groundwater, alarmingly depleted. But now this policy would be reversed, in view of bad monsoon.

"It has also been decided to complete works of missing links in Narmada canal-based pipeline projects, to ensure supply of drinking water in drought-prone areas," he said.

Kutch and Saurashtra regions have been the worst affected in the state, with over 70 per cent deficient rains so far.

The government had asked the district administration to cultivate grass so as to meet the demand for fodder during the next three months, an official statement said.

Modi said in the meeting that the situation was not foreseen, as it arose after ten years of good monsoon.

Minister for Water Resources Nitin Patel, Water Resources Adviser B N Navlawala and State Chief Secretary A K Joti among others were present for the meeting.