Farmer News: Those who give land for solar panels will get 1.25 lakh rent every month, this state’s decision
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The introduction of solar energy in the agriculture sector will bring down the power generation cost drastically.”
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday decided to promote solar-powered agriculture in the state to provide continuous power to farmers during day time. In a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, it was decided that Rs 1.25 lakh per year would be given as rent to those farmers who would give their land on lease to the government for 30 years for installation of solar panels. The rental amount will increase by three percent every year. The ownership of the land will always remain with the farmers and it will be returned to them after thirty years.
Deputy CM said, “Maharashtra is the first state to shift agriculture to solar power”
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Maharashtra is the first state to shift agriculture to solar power. And has introduced this land lease model, which will help the farmers to earn continuous money and retain the ownership rights of the land. He said that the introduction of solar energy in the agriculture sector would bring down the cost of power generation drastically. Fadnavis said, “At present the rate of electricity per unit is Rs 7. When we have solar power, it will cost Rs 3.30 per unit.”
The government is giving heavily subsidized electricity to farmers
Farmers are getting heavily subsidized electricity. They will have to pay only Rs 1.50 per unit. However, there will be a financial burden of Rs 10,000 crore on the state government. It partly recovers the amount from cross-subsidy by charging higher power supply charges to industries and domestic users.
The state government will claim private land within 5 km of agricultural feeders, where necessary, for solar power. Fadnavis said that in case of government land, it will be up to 10 km around the agricultural feeder.
The deputy chief minister, who holds the power portfolio, said, “Our government is committed to provide 24×7 power to farmers.” Presently the power supply to agriculture sector is coal based. In rural areas frequent power cuts during day time hinder agricultural activities. As a result, farmers are forced to go to the fields to work during the night.”
