Karnataka   

Free power to 17 lakh IP sets of farmers: Karnataka Minister

BANGALORE: Karnataka Minister for Energy K.S. Eshwrappa on Wednesday sought to remove the uncertainty over promises made by his government to supply free power to farmers.

“Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has made it clear on Tuesday that free power would be provided to all the 17 lakh irrigation pumpsets of farmers in the State. But it will not be given to the IP sets which are being used for non-agricultural purposes,” the Minister told a press conference in Bangalore.

However, he did not indicate the date from when the free supply would commence. He only said that the State Budget to be presented by the Chief Minister might have a proposal in this regard.

The Bharatiya Janata Party had promised free power supply to farmers if it was voted to power. However, Mr. Yeddyurappa recently expressed his inability to provide free power to all farmers. This had angered the farmers’ organisations which had taken exception to the Chief Minister going back on his words.

The BJP had promised to commence free power supply to farmers within 24 hours of coming to power.

When reminded that this promise is yet to be implemented even a month after coming to power, Mr. Eshwarappa remarked: “How do you think that it is possible to implement such a major initiative in just 24 hours. Twenty-four hours are nothing. After all it takes nearly 24 hours to cheer the new government by shouting slogans.”

When asked why the BJP made such a promise of implementing free power supply within 24 hours if it was not possible to implement it, the Minister, who was part of the BJP leaders’ team which made such a promise, said: “Such a promise was made out of our enthusiasm.”

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