Thousands of farmers in Rajshahi’s Tanore upazila have reportedly been fined crores of taka by the local Palli Bidyut Samity for using domestic submersible pumps to irrigate crops on small plots of land.
According to local farmers, around 15,000 cultivators have been charged an additional Tk 1,500 each with their March electricity bills for allegedly using electricity for irrigation purposes at home. The total amount collected from farmers in the upazila is estimated at around Tk 3 crore.
In February as well, about 8,000 farmers were allegedly fined in a similar manner, collecting over Tk 1.5 crore, according to local accounts.
Farmers said they used submersible pumps installed at home to irrigate small-scale cultivation of vegetables, garlic, onions, mustard, lentils and boro paddy on fallow or adjacent land. Many of them said they cultivated between 10 kathas and 3 bighas of land.
They alleged that repeated fines have increased their production costs significantly at a time when they are already facing losses from crops such as potatoes, onions and garlic.
Many farmers expressed frustration, saying they are losing interest in cultivation due to the additional financial burden, which could negatively impact future crop production in the region.
Farmers in the Barind region said groundwater levels have declined sharply, forcing several deep tube wells operated by the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) to shut down. As a result, irrigation shortages have left large areas of land uncultivated.
They said farmers have increasingly relied on small-scale irrigation using submersible pumps, particularly for vegetable and fruit cultivation around homesteads.
According to Rajshahi Palli Bidyut Samity's Tanore zonal office, the upazila has more than 56,000 consumers, including residential and commercial users.
One farmer, Samirul Islam Babu of Panchandar Bagmarapara in Mundumala municipality, said he was fined Tk 1,500 each for February and March, totalling Tk 3,000 in penalties, in addition to regular electricity bills.
He said he cultivated boro paddy on about 15 decimals of land near his house and used a submersible pump for irrigation, which led to the additional charges.
Meanwhile, Deputy General Manager (DGM) of Rajshahi Palli Bidyut Samity's Tanore zone, Rezaul Karim, said farmers were repeatedly warned through public announcements and meetings involving agricultural authorities and district administration officials not to use electricity for irrigation.
He said despite the warnings, irrigation continued, leading to fines being imposed on 5,000 to 6,000 consumers at Tk 1,500 each.
“If the farmers come to the office and give a written undertaking that they will not use electricity for irrigation, the fines will be withdrawn,” he added.
Tanore Upazila Agriculture Officer Saifullah Ahmed said he was not aware of mass fines imposed on farmers but added that steps would be taken to resolve the issue soon.
RHF/AM
