Punjab ensures a consistent power supply during paddy sowing season

In view of the ongoing paddy sowing season, Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Monday held a high-level meeting with senior officials of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) to review power supply arrangements for farmers across the state.

During the meeting, the Minister was informed that the state has adopted a phased schedule for paddyh sowing, including Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR). As per the government’s directive, DSR was permitted from May 15 to May 31, 2025, followed by phased transplantation across districts.

Sowing activities were initiated on June 1 in border and canal-irrigated districts such as Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Fazilka. From June 5, the activity extended to Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Fatehgarh Sahib, and Hoshiarpur. The remaining districts—Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar—began sowing operations from today, June 9.

PSPCL officials apprised the Minister that comprehensive measures have been undertaken to ensure uninterrupted power supply during this crucial agricultural period. A daily 8-hour power supply to areas under DSR has already been in effect since May 15, while other districts are receiving assured supply as per the sowing schedule. Additionally, uninterrupted power continues to be provided to residential and industrial sectors.

Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to the welfare of farmers under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO stated, “The government is fully dedicated to ensuring smooth and sufficient power availability during the paddy sowing season. Every necessary step has been taken to support our farmers in during this paddy season.”

He emphasized that the proactive planning and coordination between PSPCL and PSTCL exemplify the government’s efficient and farmer-friendly approach towards agricultural needs.

The meeting was attended by PSPCL CMD Ajoy Kumar Sinha, Director Generation Er. Harjit Singh, Director Finance CA SK Beri, Director Distribution Er. Inderpal Singh, and Director Technical Er. Sanjeev Kumar Sood.