In a major relief to farmers in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has decided to extend 100 per cent rebate on the electricity bills of private tube wells in rural and urban areas with effect from April 1, 2023.

A proposal in this regard was passed by the state cabinet, which was chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Tuesday.

Giving details of the proposal passed by the cabinet, Energy Minister AK Sharma said, "During the CM and several other leaders had made an announcement in this regard.

Accordingly, a 100 percent rebate in electricity bills will be given to the farmers on their private tube wells," he said.

He said that at present, there are 14,73,000 tube wells in rural areas and 5,188 in urban areas.

"As 200-gram panchayats have been upgraded to Nagar panchayats, this distinction has been removed, and as a result, in total, there are 14,78,000 tube wells," he said.

Sharma said that generally, 4–5 farmers benefit from one tube well. "Going by this, while 1.50 crore farmers will benefit from the decision, it will actually benefit 6 to 7 crore farmers. The farmers will not be required to pay any bills with effect from April 1, 2023," he said.

He said that, as far as the old dues of the farmers were concerned, an interest free scheme would be brought by the government and would be implemented in the days to come. "For this, while a provision of Rs 2,400 crore has been made in the current fiscal year 2023–24, a provision of Rs 1,800 crore has been made for the next financial year 2024–25," he said.

The minister said that in another important decision, the cabinet approved a proposal to set up two units of 800 megawatt (MW) each in Anpara in joint venture with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

He said, "Last year, during the Global Investors Summit (GIS), the state government signed two major agreements with the NTPC.

"The proposal passed by the cabinet is part of the agreement. These 2 units in Anpara will be set up with the help of NTPC in 50-50 per cent contribution," he said.

Sharma said that the project will cost around Rs 8,624 crore.

"The first unit will be executed in 50 months, whereas the second unit will be executed in 56 months. There will be an equity of 30 percent, which will be borne by the state government and NTPC in a ratio of 50 percent each. Remaining 70 per cent will be taken as loan," he said.

He said that as the coal mines of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) are nearby, arrangements to provide cheap electricity to the consumers have been made.

"With the commissioning of a 660 MW plant in Jawaharpur and a 600 MW plant in Obra C, UP is moving forward in the direction of becoming a self-reliant and surplus state in terms of power generation," he said.

(With UNI inputs)