Pakistan, May 3 -- The Punjab government's much-anticipated solar tube well subsidy program has hit major delays, affecting more than 450,000 farmers across the province. Launched as a solution to rising fuel and electricity costs, the scheme offered subsidies up to Rs1 million for solar systems powering tube wells. However, several months after applications closed, farmers have yet to see any support.

Initially managed by the Agriculture Department's Water Management Wing, the project was later handed to the Punjab Energy Department. This shift has added confusion and slowed progress. Farmers, still burdened by high operational costs, are growing impatient and skeptical about the program's future.

Vendors involved in the centralised bi...