PSPCL lets users shift tubewells

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 20

To mitigate the problems being faced by farmers in irrigating their land where groundwater has become unsuitable for the purpose, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has permitted the shifting of existing tubewell connections along canal distributaries for the irrigation of agricultural land in their possession through pipes.

The PSPCL says that for the shifting of existing tubewell connections along canal distributaries, the provisions contained in policy guidelines of 2011-12 would also be applicable to individual consumers.

Further, for shifting the tubewell connection on priority basis, farmers must have ownership of at least 2- marla land at the proposed site while the minimum arable land area must be one acre. The applicant would have to provide a documentary proof of ownership, along with relevant revenue record of land intended to be irrigated along the canal, to the sub-divisional office concerned.

The PSPCL has made it mandatory for shifting of the tubewell connections along the canal or its distributaries that the applicants would have to submit an indemnity bond taking sole responsibility of any damage caused to water bodies and also against any loss or compensation claimed by any third party in lieu of drawing out groundwater near the canals or distributaries.

The circular also makes it clear that only existing and operational tubewell connections would be shifted under the scheme and a ban on issuing demand notes for new tubewell connections would continue till further orders.