Optimizing groundwater usage through DBT in electricity: Lessons from Punjab-Part II

• by Anusha Jain and Diganta Nayak
• Mar 3, 2021
• 1 min
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To check overexploitation of groundwater in Punjab, the state government launched an innovative pilot for Direct Benefit Transfer in Electricity (DBTE), “Paani Bachao, Paise Kamao” (Save water, earn money). This note highlights the on-ground challenges in the implementation of the pilot and the way forward.

Part I of this focus note discussed how free power to the agriculture sector has led to the overexploitation of groundwater in India and the response of the Punjab government—a pilot program for Direct Benefit Transfer in Electricity (DBTE). This part highlights major challenges  from the demand and supply-side perspectives. It also recommends ways to address these challenges and explores how DBTE can be scaled up in other states as well.