According to a TNERC statement, the amendments have been made for the benefit of the farmers and to avoid delay. “The applicant need not purchase a motor, pump-set, capacitor and others at the initial stage itself and enter readiness. On completion of all works like erection of transformer, lines and others by the Licensee, a 30-day notice shall be issued to the applicant. It is enough to report his readiness to avail supply at this stage, after receipt of said notice. On receipt of readiness of the applicant, supply shall be given in three days,” statement said.

TNERC also relaxed the number of service connections within a survey number or in a subdivided field number by allowing agricultural service connection to each well or borewell if they are independent and physically separated from each other and well or borewell irrigate a minimum of 0.5 acre of land. In case of joint ownership, the applicant can produce indemnity bond in lieu of co-owners’ consent.

Also, the norms have been relaxed for shifting of agriculture service connection as the shifting would be permitted from any place to another place within the state. However, the charges towards the shifting should be borne by the consumer under deposit contribution works (DCW) basis.