Direct delivery of electricity subsidy to farmers in Punjab: will it help conserve groundwater?. Issue 2 (4th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, M. Dinesh; Bassi, Nitin; Verma, Mahendra Singh
• Is Part Of: International journal of water resources development. Volume 38:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 306
• Page End: 321
• Publication Date: 2022-03-04
• Subjects: Punjab -- irrigation -- electricity pricing -- groundwater -- subsidy; Water resources development -- Periodicals; Water-supply, Agricultural -- Periodicals; 333.91005
• DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2021.1899900
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0790-0627

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The article argues that the recently introduced model for the direct delivery of an energy subsidy to well-irrigators in Indian Punjab aimed at incentivizing them to conserve electricity and groundwater is on a weak conceptual footing. Energy quota based on connected load will only lead to the resource-rich appropriating the subsidy benefits. Reduced use of well water to irrigate paddy will not arrest depletion as a large proportion of that water returns to the aquifer. The article suggests some institutional alternatives for bringing about long-term changes in the groundwater balance of Punjab based on sound water-use hydrology and the use of technology and market forces.