Madhya Pradesh Farmers Face Double Crisis: Crop Damage from Rain and 10-Hour Power Supply Restriction

Madhya Pradesh farmers have been dealt a severe blow with the implementation of a controversial 10-hour electricity supply restriction.

Bhopal:

Farmers across Madhya Pradesh are facing a double crisis - first from unseasonable rainfall that destroyed their crops, and now from a contentious electricity department directive that limited power supply to only 10 hours daily.

The restrictive order generated such significant backlash that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had to step in and demand the removal of AK Jain, the Central Region Electricity Distribution Company's Chief General Manager who had issued the circular.

The directive was distributed to electricity officials across numerous districts including Bhopal, Gwalior, Sehore, Rajgarh, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Harda, Vidisha, Ashoknagar, Guna, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Shivpuri, and Datia. It explicitly stated that power supply to agricultural feeders must be capped at 10 hours.

The order contained a punitive clause warning that violation of this limit would result in salary deductions for staff ranging from junior engineers to general managers.

Despite challenging conditions such as waterlogged soil, poor weather, or technical difficulties that might increase power requirements, the order prohibited extending supply beyond the established limit. A minimal 15-minute grace period was permitted, with any additional time being classified as a violation requiring immediate reporting to headquarters.

This measure provoked widespread anger among the farming community and opposition political parties.

Responding quickly to the situation, the Chief Minister canceled the order and instructed immediate disciplinary action against the responsible official.

"Our government remains dedicated to providing continuous electricity to farmers. We will not accept any directive that creates hardship for them," the Chief Minister stated firmly.

Just the previous day, Yadav had announced relief from surcharges for electricity consumers, including farmers with outstanding bills older than three months. Critics pointed out that the restrictive order issued shortly afterward completely contradicted the Chief Minister's commitment.

Opposition Leader Umang Singhar criticized the government, questioning whether Madhya Pradesh was experiencing an electricity shortage.

"Even Bhopal experiences power outages, while rural farmers receive only four to five hours of electricity," he noted. "This represents both dishonesty and injustice toward those who feed our state."

Singhar accused the BJP administration of "talking about farmer welfare while acting against their interests," and demanded the power department provide an explanation.