Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on 22 July assured the state legislature that the government will ensure electricity supply to farmers from 6 am to 6 pm daily for irrigation, and will activate a diesel subsidy scheme if any district is officially declared drought-affected. The assurance came on the third day of the Bihar Legislative Assembly's Monsoon Session in Patna, where below-normal rainfall and its impact on Kharif crops — particularly paddy — dominated proceedings across party lines.

What Triggered the Debate

During Question Hour, legislators from both the Opposition and the ruling alliance flagged that erratic electricity supply is disrupting pump-based irrigation at a time when several districts are recording deficient rainfall. With monsoon rains below normal, farmers have grown increasingly dependent on groundwater irrigation, making uninterrupted power supply critical to protecting standing crops.

What the Government Has Committed

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary told the House that a special plan has been drawn up to improve power availability for agricultural use. Under the proposed arrangement, the government will work to deliver a continuous 12-hour electricity window — 6 am to 6 pm — so that farmers can irrigate fields during daylight hours. He added that concerned departments have been directed to strengthen the power distribution infrastructure needed to support agricultural irrigation across affected regions.

Drought Monitoring and Diesel Subsidy

District Magistrates in areas experiencing drought-like conditions have been instructed to prepare detailed reports on the rainfall situation and its agricultural impact, the Chief Minister said. Based on these assessments, the government will determine the severity of the crisis and roll out appropriate relief. If drought is formally identified in any area, the state will launch a diesel subsidy scheme to help cultivators run diesel-powered irrigation pumps and protect their crops from further damage.

Opposition Pushes for Ground-Level Action

While Opposition members acknowledged the assurances, they argued that announcements alone are insufficient. They called for immediate, verifiable strengthening of the electricity distribution network at the grassroots level, contending that farmers need consistent power on the ground — not just commitments from the floor of the Assembly. The ruling alliance, in turn, maintained that continuous efforts are under way to support the farming community through the ongoing monsoon season.

What's at Stake for Bihar's Kharif Season

Agriculture in Bihar remains heavily dependent on monsoon rainfall, and the current deficit has disrupted farming activities across multiple districts. Paddy, the dominant Kharif crop, is particularly vulnerable to irrigation gaps during its early growth stages. With the monsoon season at a critical juncture, the government's ability to translate these assurances into ground-level power supply will determine how much of the state's crop area is salvaged this season.