Bhopal, Nov 4 (NationPress) A recent notification issued by the Electricity Department of the Madhya Pradesh government has ignited considerable debate within the state. The directive mandates that power supply for agricultural feeders should not exceed 10 hours daily, a move that has raised eyebrows among various stakeholders.

The Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitara Company confirmed that this order applies to all distribution companies under its oversight.

A copy of this regulation has also been disseminated to power distribution companies operating across the state.

According to the order, should the electricity supply for agricultural feeders surpass 10 hours in a single day, this will be classified as a violation, leading to a deduction of one day's salary for the responsible operator.

Senior officials from the state's Power Department were similarly cautioned.

The notification clearly states that even in instances where power demand spikes due to wet soil conditions, the supply must remain capped at 10 hours; any excess will be deemed a breach of protocol.

In a stern reminder, the Electricity Department urged all Superintendent Engineers, Executive Engineers, and Assistant Engineers to enforce strict adherence to this directive, stating that any violations should be reported to company headquarters along with an action report.

Interestingly, this directive emerges at a time when Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has promised that the BJP-led government would ensure 24/7 electricity supply for agricultural needs in the state.

Congress leaders have strongly criticized the BJP-led government, arguing that farmers currently receive only 7 to 8 hours of power daily, and this new order will exacerbate their hardships.

Senior Congress figure and former Union Minister Arun Yadav accused the BJP-led government of failing to honor its commitments to the citizens of Madhya Pradesh, likening this order to a “Tuglak-like decree” that further burdens farmers.

“While the BJP touts its support for farmers, it has failed to deliver any real assistance in Madhya Pradesh. With farmers already facing crop losses due to erratic weather, this power supply restriction is simply unjust,” Yadav stated.

He further claimed that the Chief Minister has failed to procure farmer produce at the maximum support price (MSP), admitting in a letter to the Union government the state’s inability to provide MSP.