The free power supply to farmers will continue, said Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday.
In an official release, Mr. Karunanidhi said the DMK government was the first in the country to introduce free power for all farmers way back in 1990 and there was no change in the government's policy.
During his Independence Day speech this year, the Chief Minister had announced that the small and marginal farmers in the State would get energy-efficient motors for their pump sets free of cost in place of inefficient high energy consuming motors. In the case of other farmers, motors would be given at 50 per cent subsidy to save 20 per cent of electricity, he said.
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A section of people was trying to scuttle the scheme by spreading false information that the meters in the energy-efficient motors were aimed at fixing tariff for power consumption, he said clarifying that the meters were to measure levels of energy efficiency and farmers need not be apprehensive.
“The government will replace old motors with energy-efficient ones on priority basis to farmers who express willingness,” Mr. Karunanidhi said.