ANNOUNCEMENTS
This study tries to discover how the free electricity regime which was started in the Punjab with the aim of increasing income of farmers through providing free electricity for their tube wells resulted in a scenario in which power providing utility PSPCL are making huge losses, also state government are making huge expenditures in terms of overall budgets to pay for farm power consumption by the farmers in the way of subsidy but all this things is not helping farmers to maintain their irrigation schedule and they have to use diesel to maintain their irrigation schedule. It is only resulted in the rationing of power supply, power coming with frequent fluctuations and due to irregularity and unscheduled power supply and as the power supply mostly coming in night there is unsustainable groundwater use by the farmers which is making difficult for farmers to chase down water as water level declines as they have to bear huge cost in increasing their tube well depth.
This study tries to discover is farmer in Punjab region is ready to pay for better electricity services that will ensure required irrigation during Kharif and Rabi season on a pre-determined time with better quality and quantity. This study uses contingent valuation method to measure farmers willingness to pay for improved electricity services. This study founds out that farmers in Punjab is ready to pay if electricity comes during predetermined time and in day with good quality so that they can save cost in terms of less motor burnout, reduction in the speed at which they are increasing the depths of their tube wells etc.
