Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has started inviting applications for installation of (ToD) meters on agricultural tube-well connections. This decision has been taken, with a view to boost agriculture sector and providing relief to the farmers. The distribution companies in NWFP, Punjab and Sindh have been directed to accept applications for the purpose with immediate effect.
Balochistan is already availing concessional flat rates for agricultural connections hence; this incentive is not applicable to the province. Under this scheme, Wapda will provide electricity on concessional rates to the farmers running their tube-wells during peak hours from 10:00 pm to 06:00 am through ToD meters.
The farmers from the three provinces will get a relief of Rs 75 per unit on an average. This relief translates into a 25-percent concession in current agricultural tariffs.
It may be pointed out that the rates have been reduced from Rs 3.12 per unit to Rs 2.37 per unit in Sindh and Punjab and from Rs 2.75 per unit to Rs 2.10 per unit in NWFP for using electricity for tube-wells during off-peak hours.
Under a simplified procedure, the farmers can submit a hand written application on a plain paper along with the last paid electricity bill for tube-well to the respective Sub Divisional Officer for availing this facility. Wapda has already procured ToD meters in sufficient quantity so that the farmers can benefit from this scheme without any delay.
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