Gujarat CM promises daytime power supply to farmers by December 2024

Addressing farmers at Modasa town in Aravalli district, the Chief Minister said, “By December 2024, farmers will get electricity supply during the day time for agricultural activities by December 2024”

Amidst the tumultuous response from farmers, who have long clamored for daytime electricity to aid their agricultural activities, skepticism lingers.

Kanubhai Patel, a farmer from Sabarkantha district, echoed the weariness of many, stating, “We’ve heard these assurances before. Let’s hope this time brings a permanent resolution.”

Farmers in Gujarat grapple with an enduring challenge: the absence of reliable daytime power supply for their agricultural activities. The recurrent promises from government officials have left many disillusioned and skeptical. With each pledge of rectification and extension of deadlines, the anticipation for a resolution wanes.

The inability to access electricity during daylight hours hampers crucial farming tasks, compelling farmers to navigate their fields in the darkness of night, exacerbating the strain on their already arduous work. This chronic issue not only impedes irrigation and essential farming operations but also casts a shadow of uncertainty over the future of agriculture in the region, echoing the persistent struggle faced by those reliant on the land for their livelihoods.

Energy Minister Kanu Desai’s declaration in March, citing a two-year wait for farmers to access daytime power, further fuels the frustration of those awaiting relief.

The state’s initiative, the Kisan Suryoday Yojana launched in 2020-21, aimed to provide daytime electricity to 19.2 lakh farmers across Gujarat. The project initially targeted villages in Dahod, Junagadh, and Gir Somnath districts, intending to lay CKM lines for agricultural power connections.