Daijiworld Media Network – Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Apr 22: In a major relief to the farming community, especially those in tribal and rural pockets, the Gujarat government on Tuesday introduced key reforms to simplify the process of obtaining agricultural electricity connections.

Announcing the decision, Energy Minister Kanubhai Desai said that the move, spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, aims to eliminate long-standing procedural hurdles that had made it difficult for farmers to access electricity for agricultural purposes.

Until now, farmers applying for new power connections were required to furnish consent letters from all co-owners mentioned in the 7/12 land extract, on notarised stamp paper. This often proved to be a roadblock, particularly in tribal areas, where multiple heirs commonly share land without formal division in revenue records.

Acknowledging repeated representations from legislators and farmer bodies, the government has now done away with the consent requirement. Going forward, a self-declaration by the applicant on notarised stamp paper will suffice, Desai announced.

In another farmer-centric move, the state government has also allowed each co-owner named in the 7/12 extract to apply for a separate electricity connection — regardless of the size of their holding — provided they have a separate water source such as a well or borewell, and submit a map showing distinct land boundaries.

However, each co-owner will be eligible for only one power connection per survey number in their name.

“These reforms mark a strong step towards empowering farmers and addressing their concerns, especially in tribal regions,” Desai said, adding that the changes are in line with the state’s commitment to farmer welfare.

The announcement was welcomed by several MLAs and farming organisations, who termed it a “timely and much-needed” step that will greatly benefit cultivators struggling with documentation challenges.