Farmers sowing paddy to get regular power, water supply: Pb minister

The Punjab government today assured adequate water and power supply to farmers sowing paddy as rice growing season commences officially in the state tomorrow.

Punjab Power Minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar said farmers will get regular power supply while the state's Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria too directed his department to ensure adequate canal water for them.

Kangar said his department was fully aware of the farmers' requirements and necessary arrangements were made accordingly.

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is prepared to meet the exigencies to ensure an eight-hour uninterrupted power supply to the farmers daily, said Kangar after a meeting held to review the arrangements.

"Punjab is an agrarian state where the power load during peak summer and the paddy season is always high," he said.

"The maximum demand recorded last year was 11,705 MW in July, which was a challenge to meet... In 2018, maximum demand of 12,290 MW is anticipated," he added.

Sarkaria too issued instructions to his department asking the officials to check canal water theft.

Farmers will get adequate water for paddy sowing and won't face any scarcity, he said.