Archive · 20 May 2025
Karnataka High Court Rules on Farmer Society Power Subsidy
The High Court said that groups of farmers (societies) should get the same electricity discounts as individual farmers.
The government had a rule that made it harder for farmer groups to get these discounts.
The court decided this wasn't fair.
Two farmer groups complained that the rules discriminated against them.
The court said that this violates the rule that everyone should be treated equally.
The court's decision means that farmer groups should now be able to get the same electricity benefits, helping them with irrigation.
Hescom had said the issues were due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the court rejected this reasoning.
Karnataka High Court ruled farmer societies are eligible for power subsidies.
The ruling addressed a government order denying subsidies to societies exceeding a horsepower limit.
Two farmer cooperative societies contested the Hubballi Electricity Supply Company Ltd's (Hescom) actions.
The court stated the need for fair treatment and promotion of cooperative farming.
The state must frame guidelines to extend subsidies to farmer societies within six months.
- Who
- The Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court ruled in favor of farmer societies, specifically two from Athani taluk.
- What
- The Karnataka High Court ruled that farmer societies are eligible for agricultural power subsidies, overturning a government order.
- When
- The ruling was issued by Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum.
- Where
- Karnataka, specifically the Dharwad bench of the High Court.
- Why
- To ensure fair treatment between farmer societies and individual farmers in accessing agricultural power subsidies.
Farmer Societies' Perspective
Hescom's Perspective
Subsidy Eligibility
Farmer Societies' Perspective
Farmer societies should receive power tariff subsidies, as denying them violates equality principles.
Hescom's Perspective
The petitioners' difficulties stemmed from the Covid pandemic, and society members could access the scheme individually.
HP Limit
Farmer Societies' Perspective
Excluding farmer societies from subsidies for exceeding the 10 HP limit contradicts the goal of supporting small farmers.
Hescom's Perspective
The state government specified a 10 HP meter limit for irrigation facilities.
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Judge
- Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum
- Affected Parties
- Farmer Societies & Hescom
- Relevant Act
- Electricity Act
- Government Order
- September 4, 2008 (declared unconstitutional)