Gujarat Sardar Krushi Jyoti Yojana (SKJY)

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Gujarat Sardar Krushi Jyoti Yojana (SKJY) is a power infrastructure scheme of the Energy and Petrochemicals Department, Government of Gujarat, that improves electricity supply to farmers. The state government started the scheme in 2017-18 to replace old, worn-out power lines and conductors on agricultural feeders. When required, the scheme also divides (bifurcates) overloaded agricultural feeders so that farms receive steadier and better-quality electricity for irrigation and other farm work.

The state launched this scheme because many electricity lines in Gujarat had grown too old to deliver reliable power. Under the guidelines of the electricity regulatory commission, the normal life of a distribution line stays around 35 years. However, pollution, salty and humid air in coastal belts, and chemical industrial areas shorten this life a lot. Such old lines snap again and again, cause power cuts, and sometimes lead to small or serious electrical accidents. To solve this problem, the government decided to replace these dilapidated lines with new ones under the name Sardar Krushi Jyoti Yojana.

The main objective of the Sardar Krushi Jyoti Yojana is to give better service to electricity consumers by providing quality power supply. It achieves this by replacing old and damaged power wires, conductors, and related materials on agricultural feeders, and by dividing agricultural feeders wherever necessary. In its first year, the scheme covered several types of feeders, but later on the government limited it only to lines connected with agricultural feeders. Subsequently, feeder bifurcation work was also added, and agricultural feeder division was made a regular part of the scheme.

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) implements the scheme through its electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs). The DISCOMs carry out a detailed survey, identify the feeders that need replacement, and complete the work through e-tendering. The state government bears 80% of the total cost as assistance, while the concerned DISCOM bears the remaining 20%. In the first year alone, the work covered a total of 5,089 surveyed feeders. Farmers do not receive any cash under this scheme; instead, they benefit through new lines, fewer breakdowns, and safer power supply.

Just as the Gujarat Government runs the Sardar Krushi Jyoti Yojana (SKJY) for farmers, the Central Government also implements two important schemes for them: PM-KUSUM, which provides solar agriculture pumps and solarises grid-connected pumps for daytime irrigation power, and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), which expands irrigation coverage and develops watersheds under the goal “Har Khet Ko Pani”. You can check the complete details of both these schemes here.

Scheme Benefits

The following benefits are provided to farmers under the Sardar Krushi Jyoti Yojana through improved power infrastructure rather than direct financial assistance.

• New Power Lines: DISCOMs replace old and damaged wires and conductors on agricultural feeders.
• Feeder Bifurcation: Overloaded agricultural feeders get divided where needed for smoother supply.
• Pole and Line Repair: Works include straightening (plumbing) of poles, replacing damaged insulators, providing stay sets, and trimming tree branches near lines.
• Old Conductor Replacement: Conductors with more than three joints in one span or a life of over 35 years get replaced.
• Reliable Supply: Farmers get quality and regular electricity for irrigation.
• Fewer Power Cuts: Breakdowns and conductor snapping reduce sharply.
• Better Safety: New lines lower the risk of electrical accidents on farms.
• No Cost to Farmers: The state government and DISCOMs bear the full cost in an 80:20 ratio.
• No DBT: The scheme does not give any cash, subsidy, or bank transfer to individual farmers.

Eligibility Requirements

Under the Gujarat Sardar Krushi Jyoti Scheme, farmers who fulfil the following requirements are eligible to receive the benefits:

• The applicant must be a farmer.
• The applicant must be a resident of Gujarat.
• The applicant's electricity connection must be on an agricultural feeder.

Who is Not Covered?

The scheme covers only lines connected to agricultural feeders, so the following do not fall under it.

• Consumers on Jyoti Gram (urban or rural) feeders, GIDC feeders, HT express feeders, and industrial feeders.
• Farmers or consumers outside Gujarat.

How the Scheme Works

Farmers do not need to apply separately for Sardar Krushi Jyoti Yojana, as DISCOMs carry out the work through their own surveys. However, if an agricultural feeder is old or snaps frequently, they can submit a request or complaint at the local electricity Sub-Divisional Office by following the steps below.

Selection and Execution of Work

• GUVNL gets a detailed survey of agricultural feeders done through its DISCOMs.
• The DISCOM marks feeders with old, damaged, or overloaded lines for replacement or bifurcation.
• The DISCOM selects agencies through e-tendering to carry out the work.
• The agencies replace old lines and conductors and divide feeders wherever required.
• The state government releases its 80% share through GUVNL, and the DISCOM pays the remaining 20%.

How to Submit a Request or Complaint

• If the line on your agricultural feeder is old or snaps. Identify the Sub-Divisional Office of the DISCOM that supplies power to your agricultural connection.
• Go to the office and meet the concerned official.
• Share your connection details and describe the issue with your feeder line, such as old wires, frequent snapping, or repeated power cuts.
• The officials will tell you how to record your request.
• Ask for an acknowledgement of your request for future follow-up. 

Required Documents

Farmers do not need any documents to get benefits from the Gujarat Sardar Krushi Jyoti Yojana Scheme, but they should keep the following documents ready if they submit a request or complaint at the Sub-Divisional Office.

• Identity proof of the applicant
• Land ownership document
• Passport-size photographs
• Allotment order of land or house received under any housing scheme for the poor (if applicable)

Relevant Links

• Energy and Petrochemicals Department, Government of Gujarat Portal
• Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) website
• Guidelines of Gujarat Sardar Krushi Jyoti Yojana (SKJY)

Contact Information

• Energy and Petrochemicals Department, Gujarat Department Helpline Contact Details
• Energy and Petrochemicals Department Helpline Numbers