The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Farmers likely to get more power

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 14, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Farmers likely to get more power

B.S. Satish Kumar

IP sets to get supply for longer period

Free-power promise to farmers to be implemented soon
Procedural details being worked out: Eshwarappa

BANGALORE: Energy Minister K.S. Eshwarappa on Friday said the Government would not only implement its promise of providing free power to farmers, but would also examine the possibility of increasing the number of hours of power supply to irrigation pumpsets.

Speaking to The Hindu after his first review of the State’s power sector here, the Minister said he was already working towards providing free power to farmers. He said the date of commencement of supply of free power and other details would be finalised after discussing the matter with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

Many procedures

Asked why the supply of free power to farmers was being delayed, he said various procedures had to be followed before it could be done. They included consultations with the Finance Department as well as the Chief Minister.

“My first interaction with officials representing the power sector has given me confidence that it is possible to effectively implement our party’s promise of providing free power supply to farmers,” he said. To a query on how he planned to increase the duration of power supply to irrigation pumpsets with the State already facing a power shortage, Mr. Eshwarappa pointed out that an additional 1,200 MW was expected to be added to the State grid soon from some of the new power projects.

Mr. Eshwarappa termed the task ahead of him challenging. There was huge potential for the development of the power sector. He said he would give priority to ensuring 24-hour power supply to domestic consumers and improving the quality of supply to industries and irrigation pumpsets.

The Minister said he was trying familiarise himself with various aspects of the power sector.

While his maiden interaction with officials focussed on the activities of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. and Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd., he would hold a similar interaction with officials from all the five electricity supply companies next week.

Deadlines to be set

Mr. Eshwarappa said he had asked the officials to take steps to expedite the implementation of power generation projects. Deadlines for the implementation of various projects would be set soon, he said.

Top-ranking officials such as Energy Department Principal Secretary Shamin Bhanu, KPTCL Managing Director Bharatlal Meena, KPCL Managing Director S.M. Jaamdar, KPTCL Finance Director Aditi Raja and the managing directors of all the five electricity supply companies were present at the meeting.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka