Digital meters for farm pump sets are for proper accounting of power consumption: Puducherry Electricity Department

Puducherry Electricity Dept. has clarified that installing digital meters for farm pump sets is to assess actual power consumption, rather than depending on horsepower calculations. Meters will be installed to enable proper accounting of power consumed, with no separate bills for farmers. Subsidy amount will continue to be paid by Agriculture Dept. Meters are being installed in Ariyankuppam, Bahour, Karikkalampakkam, Kirumampakkam, Vadamangalam, Thiruvandarkoil and Kariyanpathoor.

The Puducherry Electricity Department has clarified that the direction to install digital meters for farm pump sets was meant for a proper accounting of power consumed for agriculture purposes.

The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed the Electricity Department to install meters for pump sets to assess consumption, rather than depending on horsepower calculations as is done at present, T. Shanmugam, head of Department said in a communication.

“There will not be any separate bill for farmers. The subsidy amount is being paid to us by the Agriculture Department. That practice will continue even after the installation of the meters,” he said.

The Department needs to have proper data on the power purchased and the quantum sold to various consumers. The metering system for farm pump sets was to enable a proper accounting of the power consumed, he said. 

In a press release, Executive Engineer, South Zone, Rural, R. Selvaraj said the Department was in the process of installing meters at farms in Ariyankuppam, Bahour, Karikkalampakkam, Kirumampakkam, Vadamangalam, Thiruvandarkoil and Kariyanpathoor.