6 days ago
Raichur Farmers Protest Cuts to Agricultural Power Supply
Farmers in Raichur are worried because their crops need water.
The district is facing a serious drought.
Many farmers use electric pumps to bring up borewell water.
They say the pumps now receive electricity for only about five hours instead of 12.
They also say the electricity comes at unpredictable times.
This makes it hard to water crops when needed.
Farmers protested outside an electricity office and asked for the old schedule to return.
Officials said they would try to improve the supply.
The farmers want to see the promised changes happen soon.
Farmers in drought-hit Raichur say agricultural electricity has fallen from 12 hours to about five hours daily.
All taluks in the district have been declared drought-affected, with crops relying heavily on borewells and pump sets.
Farmers say uncertain daytime and nighttime supply makes irrigation difficult and threatens paddy, vegetables and other crops.
Protesters surrounded a local electricity supply company office and demanded predictable restoration of the 12-hour schedule.
Officials reportedly assured farmers that efforts would be made, but the restoration date remains unclear.
- Who
- Farmers in Raichur district, with responses from local electricity supply officials.
- What
- Farmers protested reduced and unpredictable electricity for agricultural pump sets, saying supply had fallen from 12 hours to about five hours daily.
- Where
- At a local electricity supply company office in Raichur district, Karnataka.
- When
- The protest occurred recently during the district’s drought period; the articles do not give a specific date.
- Why
- Farmers depend on pump-set electricity to irrigate crops during severe water scarcity and fear crop losses and worsening financial hardship.
Farmers’ demands
Power authorities’ response
Power-supply duration
Farmers’ demands
Farmers say agricultural pump sets are receiving about five hours instead of the earlier 12 hours and demand immediate restoration.
Power authorities’ response
Electricity supply officials reportedly responded positively and assured farmers that efforts would be made to provide power properly.
Reliability and scheduling
Farmers’ demands
Farmers say electricity arrives at uncertain morning or nighttime hours, making irrigation difficult and requiring them to remain ready around the clock.
Power authorities’ response
Officials’ reported assurance addresses improved agricultural supply, but the articles do not specify a confirmed schedule or restoration date.
Urgency during drought
Farmers’ demands
Farmers argue that reliable electricity is essential to protect crops and prevent the drought from becoming a broader livelihood crisis.
Power authorities’ response
The reported official response indicates willingness to address agricultural needs, while implementation remains pending.
Key facts
- District
- Raichur, Karnataka
- Drought status
- All taluks in Raichur have been declared drought-affected.
- Reported previous supply
- 12 hours a day for agricultural pump sets
- Reported current supply
- About five hours a day
- Affected crops
- Paddy, vegetables and other standing crops
- Farmers’ demand
- A predictable, adequate restoration of the 12-hour power supply
- Official response
- Officials reportedly said efforts would be made to provide electricity properly for agricultural needs
Quotes
Raichur farmers
Farmers protesting reduced electricity supply for agricultural pump sets in drought-hit Raichur
“It is ironic that a district that generates electricity for the state is facing power shortages when its own farmers desperately need electricity to save crops”
thehansindia.com









