In a move to woo farmers before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday cleared a proposal to provide 100 per cent rebate on electricity bills on tubewells used by farmers in rural as well as urban areas of the state. The decision is estimated to benefit 14.73 lakh beneficiaries in rural areas and 5,188 in urban areas.
In other significant decisions, the Cabinet cleared the draft ordinance for the State Capital Region and other region development authorities, the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy and the next phase of Metro extension for Lucknow.
“During elections, the BJP had announced 100 per cent rebate to farmers on the electricity bills of their private tubewells. In accordance with that, the state would provide 100 per cent rebate to farmers on their private tubewell electricity bills,” minister A K Sharma said. He further informed that the decision would, in effect, benefit over 1.5 crore farmers.
The relief will be implemented from April 1, 2023. The minister informed that a provision of Rs 2,400 crore has been made for the financial year 2023-24, while it was Rs 1,800 crore for 2024-25. “So there is no scarcity of funds,” he said.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the draft of the Uttar Pradesh State Capital Region and Other Region Development Authority Ordinance, 2024. Earlier, the Cabinet had cleared a proposal to formulate the State Capital Region on the lines of the National Capital Region (NCR). The ordinance would now define the area of the adjoining districts and other provisions required for the same.
“On the lines of the National Capital Region, the State Capital Region aims to ensure planned development of areas surrounding the state capital Lucknow. Neighbouring districts like Hardoi, Sitapur, Unnao, etc would be included and a plan would be made for their development,” said minister Suresh Khanna.
The Cabinet also approved the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy 2024, to attract investment in the green hydrogen energy sector aiming to make the state its hub.
“Under the policy, the target is to ensure 1 million metric tonne production of green hydrogen per year in the state till 2028. The term of the policy would be five years and different rebates and concessions would be provided to those interested in the investment,” Sharma said.
He informed that 10 per cent to 30 per cent of subsidy is being offered on the capital expenditure of the companies in the sector, while the first five companies establishing their units would be given 40 per cent subsidy. He said the government would also promote Energy Banking under this policy, as per which units can transfer the additional power to the grid and can take it back from the grid when they require it as per the set norms. He said that there would also be a 100 per cent rebate on electricity duty.
In another significant decision, the UP Metro Rail Corporation’s proposal for expansion of the Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor from Charbagh to Vasant Kunj has also been approved by the Cabinet.
Minister Khanna informed that the much-awaited new stretch would be 11.165 km long. The estimated cost of the project would be about Rs 1,801 crore and the estimated date of completion June 30, 2027. As per the plan approved by the Cabinet, this stretch will have 12 stations, of which five will be elevated (4.286 km) and seven underground (6.87 km).
The Cabinet also approved the setting up of two power plants of 800 MW each in Anpara with the help of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).
With the government starting preparations for Maha Kumbh 2025, the Cabinet also approved the proposal to establish a state-run “VVIP” Guest house in Prayagraj.