Not mandating electricity meters for agriculture power supply: Shah

Hyderabad: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday clarified that the Centre had no plans to ask states to install meters for all agricultural power connections but there was a possibility of installing meters at substations.

He was addressing farmers who had come to meet him at the Begumpet airport to air their grievances.

“What is required is a change of government in the state,” Shah reportedly told the farmers.

The party’s state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who accompanied Shah, dismissed questions on whether the farmers had sought an explanation about installing meters for farm power connections.

Sanjay said, “Some social media miscreants spread rumours about Shah's meeting with farmers. We only discussed organic farming issues." He also stated that Shah had assured in the meeting that there would be no meters to farmers' borewells. They are likely to install meters to feeders," he said.

Later Shah tweeted that the farming community in the state was vexed with the TRS government, which has been denying them the benefits extended by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

Manikya Reddy, a farmer from Vikarabad, said, “He stressed on the importance of organic farming. They are setting up five labs to test soil in all districts to identify fertile soils suited for organic farming.”

Another farmer, Anjanna Komireddy, said that he had urged Shah to help farmers with alternative farming. "Instead of paddy, I asked the minister to give benefits to farmers to choose sugarcane. We can also produce more ethanol which can be used for fuel that will bolster the exchequer," he said.

Lavanya, who is into organic farming on 20 acres in Telkapally of Nagarkurnool district, said Shah applauded her for her work.

"I was inspired by the way he was helping farmers take up organic farming. I will lease 40 more acres to expand my farming activities," she added.