Addressing farmers at ‘Sankalp Ki Siddhi’ programme in Lucknow, the chief minister said: “This is the same Uttar Pradesh where before 2017, farmers were not safe, their crops were not secure, there was no electricity, no respect for farmers, no availability of seeds, fertilizers, and water. But today, under the leadership of Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, the government is always ready to take care of farmers’ interests.”

Addressing farmers and farmer union members from across the state at the event, Adityanath said that today the double-engine government (referring to the BJP governments at the Centre and state) is working to “realise the Prime Minister’s vision through this programme of electricity bill waiver”.

“Farmers are hardworking and dedicated. It is the result of their hard work and dedication that Uttar Pradesh is number one in foodgrain production in the country… All of this was there before, we had the capability, but farmers were neglected in the previous governments. Farmers were never a part of the government’s agenda. However, after the advent of the double-engine government in the state, the results of the initiatives started today are evident before us. Today, we are all here to give new heights to the same efforts,” he added.

Speaking about his government’s decision to waive electricity bill for tubewells in both rural and urban areas, the chief minister said that as many as 1,478,591 farmers in the state have private tube wells. “Among these, 1,348,093 private tube wells have a power capacity of 10 horsepower or less. There are 128,944 tube wells with a capacity of 10 to 15 horsepower. Similarly, 8,923 tube wells have a capacity of more than 15 horsepower. All these are being linked with the bill waiver scheme… We have implemented the scheme with retrospective effect from April 1, 2023. For this, the government allocated a budget of Rs 1500 crore last year, and this time, a provision of Rs 2400 crore has been made. We express our gratitude to the farmers. We have fulfilled the promise made to them,” the chief minister said.

He also urged farmers to join the PM-KUSUM Yojana. Under the scheme, he said, farmers can install solar panels on tube wells to generate electricity. “After using the electricity they need, the remaining power can be sold back to the government. This not only provides additional income for farmers but also helps fulfill their electricity needs,” he pointed out.

“Efforts should be made to connect approximately 1,478,000 farmers in the state with the PM-KUSUM Yojana on priority basis. This will directly benefit around 65 lakh members of nearly 15 lakh farmer families in the state,” the CM added.