Over six months into the financial year, only 342 farmers in Tiruchy district have received free electricity connections out of a target of 925, while more than 8,000 applications remain pending, according to officials from the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco).

Officials said that although progress has been slow, it marks a slight improvement compared to last year’s performance.

“In 2024–25, we managed to provide around 400 connections against a target of about 2,000. This year, we’ve already crossed 340 by the seventh month and are working to accelerate the process in the remaining period,” a senior Tangedco official said.

The Tangedco Tiruchy division has also prepared readiness reports for 2,665 additional connections, which will be prioritised under three categories — Tatkal (one-time payment) connections, Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO) scheme connections, and fully free farmer connections.

Under the Tatkal scheme, farmers pay up to Rs 2 million (Rs 20 lakh) as a one-time charge to cover wiring and installation costs, after which electricity usage becomes free. Currently, officials said priority is being given to one-time payment applicants, but efforts are being made to speed up free connection disbursal in the coming months.

The majority of new connections in Tiruchy have been provided in the Lalgudi, Musiri, and Thuraiyur regions. However, the slow progress is not unique to Tiruchy. Across Tamil Nadu, the pace of providing free agricultural electricity connections remains sluggish.

According to an RTI response received in July 2025, Tangedco provided only 15,000 free power connections statewide in the 2024–25 fiscal year, far below the government’s initial target of 50,000.

Officials confirmed that the target was later reduced to 15,000 for the current financial year due to budgetary constraints.

Extending free power to farms involves high infrastructure costs, including the installation of electric poles, transformers, and metres. Many farmlands are situated far from main transmission lines, increasing material and labour expenses.

“While the government remains committed to providing free power to farmers, both financial limitations and logistical challenges have slowed down the implementation,” the official added.