Gandhinagar: In a good news for farmers, the State government is going to launch phase-2 of its ambitious scheme ‘Kisan Suryoday Yojana’ for day-time agriculture power supply in the first half of January. Chief Minister Rupani will kick off the phase-2 of the scheme at four district headquarters on January 3, 5, 7 and 9.

According to the State government, presently one lakh farmers across 1055 villages of Dahod, Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts are first-phase beneficiaries of this scheme which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 October virtually from Junagadh. The second phase will involve 1.90 lakh farmers across 2409 villages in 150 taulukas of 30 districts through 883 feeders.

According to Energy minister Saurabh Patel, presently there are 153 groups among which half are supplied power during night. With rollout of the scheme under, power will be supplied during 5 am to 9 pm to all.

Patel said solar power is available during day time only. In upcoming days, due to further generation of solar power, day-time power availability is going to increase.

He said, the state has over 17.52 lakh agriculture power consumers. They have been distributed in 153 groups. They are supplied power through more than 8400 agriculture feeders of 11 KV. These groups are supplied 3-phase agri power in three shifts and single phase power for 24 hours. Each of three groups gets day time power for one week, night-time power in the next week and partially day-time and partially night-time power supply in the next two weeks.

The Government of Gujarat has introduced Kisan Suryoday Yojana for day-time power supply. In order to complete the State wide rollout of this scheme in next three years period as per the target, the government has allocated Rs. 3500 crore in year 2020-21 budget.

The government is going to set up 11 new 220 kv substations at a cost of Rs. 520 crore. The government will also set up 254 new 220/132/66 kv lines at a cost of Rs. 2444.94 crore, Patel said.

Chief Minister Rupani is going to kick off the second phase of Kisan Suryoday Yojana at Una in Gir Somnath district on 3rd January, Bayad in Arvalli district on 5th January, Tilakvada in Narmada district on 7th January and Lunawada in Mahisagar district on 9th January.