What this scheme offers
Despite its name, the Nishulk (free) Boring Yojana is a grant-in-aid scheme: the Minor Irrigation Department does not drill the well for you but reimburses a fixed amount towards it. For general-category small farmers the boring grant is up to ₹5,000 and for marginal farmers up to ₹7,000; small and marginal SC/ST farmers get up to ₹10,000. A separate grant helps with the pump set if the farmer buys and installs one — up to ₹4,500 (small), ₹6,000 (marginal) and ₹9,000 for SC/ST — and 50% of the cost of an HDPE delivery pipe (up to ₹3,000) is also available. Websites that promise a completely free borewell with a pump of up to 5 HP do not match the department's published rates, so confirm the current figures at your Block Minor Irrigation Office before you begin.
Who is eligible
- Permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh who owns agricultural land in the state.
- Small farmer (up to 2 hectares) or marginal farmer (up to 1 hectare).
- No existing irrigation source on the land, and not already benefiting from another irrigation scheme for the same purpose.
- SC/ST small and marginal farmers get the higher grant; groups of small and marginal farmers can apply for a group tubewell at a higher subsidy share.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Land records (khatauni) showing the holding
- Bank account details
- Caste certificate, for the SC/ST rates
- Passport-size photograph
- Bills for the pump set and pipe, at the claim stage
How to apply
- Visit minorirrigationup.gov.in and open the free boring scheme application, or go to your Block Minor Irrigation Office.
- Fill in the application with land and bank details and attach the documents.
- The department verifies your eligibility and approves the boring.
- Get the boring done and, if you want the pump grant, buy and install a pump set.
- Submit the bills for verification; the remaining grant is paid after the officials check the expenditure.