Another poll pitch, govt announces power subsidy for farmers

State commerce & industries and power minister Nirupam Sen on Monday announced a five paise subsidy on each unit consumed for agricultural activities carried on during off-peak hours. The subsidy will be valid during the period from 10 at night and 5 in the morning. “Such steps are aimed at reducing the burden on the farmers,” Sen said.

According to officials in the state agriculture department, such a move will bring a little breather to farmers in eight rain deficit districts in south Bengal including Hooghly, North & South 24 Parganas, Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum and West Medinipur.

The state government, after taking stock of the deficit in rainfall in the eight districts, is likely to announce them as drought prone areas. State finance minister Asim Dasgupta held a meeting with agriculture minister Naren De and disaster management minister Mortaza Hussein on Thursday morning.

Later, talking to reporters at the state secretariat, Dasgupta said eight districts may be declared as drought-affected or facing a drought-like situation after August 15. According to agriculture department officials, the kharif crop is sown till August 15. The department is keeping a close tab on the progress of sowing in the state and will come to a conclusion about the districts only after the second week of August. “We will consider these

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