Free Electricity Transforms the Face of Farming

Krishak Jeevan Jyoti Yojana Emerges as the Biggest Strength for Farmers

Over 8.41 lakh farming families benefit directly

Raipur, December 2025 : The days of fear over electricity bills and loans taken for irrigation have now become a thing of the past for lakhs of farmers in Chhattisgarh. The Krishak Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, implemented by the Chhattisgarh government, has brought about a major transformation by reducing the cost of farming and helping farmers move towards self-reliance. The provision of free and subsidised electricity for agricultural pumps up to five horsepower has brought prosperity directly to the fields.

Under this scheme, agricultural pumps of up to three horsepower are provided a concession of 6,000 units of electricity per year, while pumps ranging from three to five horsepower receive a rebate of up to 7,500 units annually. The direct impact of this benefit is that farmers no longer have to incur separate expenses for irrigation. As a result, crops are being irrigated on time, leading to improved agricultural productivity.

One of the most significant features of the scheme is the flat-rate option. Farmers who opt for this system face no limit on electricity consumption. They are required to pay only ₹100 per horsepower per month as a fixed charge. For farmers belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, there is no cap on electricity consumption, providing direct relief to socially and economically weaker sections.

Over the past two years, the state government has provided a subsidy of approximately ₹13,523 crore for the implementation of this scheme. At present, around 8.41 lakh agricultural pump consumers across the state are availing its benefits. For the financial year 2025–26, the government has made a budgetary provision of ₹3,500 crore, which is expected to further expand the reach of the scheme.

Keeping in view the growing needs of agriculture, the scheme also offers simplified rates for second and additional pump connections. For a second pump of up to five horsepower, farmers are charged ₹200 per horsepower per month, while for the third and subsequent pumps, the rate is ₹300 per horsepower per month. Farmers say that earlier, due to high electricity bills, farming often felt like a loss-making activity. Now, with free electricity, irrigation has become much easier. The money saved is being invested in better seeds, fertilisers, and modern farming technologies.

The Krishak Jeevan Jyoti Yojana has clearly demonstrated that with the right policy and effective implementation, farming can be turned into a profitable enterprise. Powered by free electricity, the fields of Chhattisgarh today are not just producing crops but also cultivating a story of economic empowerment.