(a) whether the farmers in the country are being given subsidy on electricity bill and
diesel;
(b) if so, the amount of the subsidy given during the last three years, Statewise;
(c) the criteria laid down for providing such subsidiaries; and
(d) the number of farmers being benefited from subsidy in the country during the
said period, State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING
INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a): State Governments provide subsidy on electricity charges for agricultural
consumers. Retail prices of diesel are fixed by the Government on a level lower than
its import parity level, thereby providing subsidy to consumers including farmers.
(b) to (d): According to Central Statistical Organisation, separate data of electricity
subsidy attributable exclusively to agriculture sector is not maintained. Details
regarding electricity subsidy are as under:
(Rs. Crore)Financial assistance was provided to the State Governments/ UT Administrations who decided to introduce diesel subsidy for the farmers to enable them to provide supplementary irrigation through diesel pump-sets in drought and deficit rainfall affected areas to protect the standing crops during Kharif 2010, on the pattern of similar scheme implemented during Kharif 2009.
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
Electricity 20967 29147 30712
(Subsidy)