LUCKNOW: In yet another move to appease the farming community , the ruling BJP government on Friday announced exemption from levy of 18 per cent GST on tube well connections.

The announcement comes a day after the union finance ministry issued a notification to this effect. Energy Minister Srikant Sharma said that the waiver will help in bringing down the burden farmers face while getting a connection. The order came into effect from Friday itself.

UPPCL sources said that around 70,000 application of farmers seeking a tube well connection is pending with various power distribution companies. “The farmers may now get a connection at a lesser price,” a senior UPPCL official said.

The ruling BJP at the Centre had recently announced 1.5 times hike in the minimum support price for the farmers besides giving a package of around Rs 8000 crores for payment of cane dues.

