LAHORE, July 12: The Punjab government has launched a special scheme to provide power supply at inexpensive rates to farmers across in collaboration with Wapda to help increase agricultural output. This was told at a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi at the CM’s House here on Tuesday.

Wapda Chairman Tariq Hameed and other senior provincial officials were also present on the occasion.

The chief minister said a cheap power supply scheme would bring in positive and revolutionary changes in the agriculture sector.

Under this scheme, the chief minister said, farmers would get 20 per cent concession on electricity charges regarding the operation of tube wells between 10pm and 6am.

The Punjab government has issued Rs450 million to Wapda for the installation of free meters, each meter costing the government Rs5,000 for power supply to agricultural tube wells.

More funds may be provided for the scheme if needed, the meeting was informed.

The chief minister said applications for free meters may be submitted on plain paper and sent along with a paid electricity bill from July 15 onwards to Wapda sub-divisional offices.—APP