Depedence on groundwater sources has become an imperative for the farming community of this region as the rains have miserably failed this year. Half of the total arable land in the district has not been sowed owing to scanty rains. Farmers, who are dependent on borewells for irrigation have sown thousands of hectares but are struggling to save the crops, courtesy, irregular power supply.

Pumpsets require three phase power to lift water while Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) is finding it difficult to supply the required quality of power over a continuous period of time. Consequently, farmers are constrained to stay mute spectators as their crops wither away without water.

HESCOM authorities contend that the Company has been supplying three phase power for eight hours, single phase for eight hours and resort to power cut for the remaining eight hours in a day, a claim strongly contested by the farmers.

It is the grouse of the peasants that they were not getting three phase power even for four hours a day.

Demand exceeds supply

A cursory look at the statistics brings out the demand-supply gap. Chikkodi division is being supplied 75 megawatt power against a demand of 150 MW, Belgaum - 150 MW against 85 MW demand and 65 MW for Savadatti division against a demand of 25 MW.  Figures speak for themselves. Demand exceeds supply by over 50 pc. Obviously, HESCOM authorities cite the supply-demand gap for the mess.

The authorities too are in quandary. While unauthorised pumpsets and transmission and distribution losses are cutting a hole in its supply quantum, HESCOM is also under pressure to ensure regular power to urban areas which generate more revenue. Power cut has already cast its shadow on urban parts.

Power draught has constrained stretching frequency of drinking water supply to once a week in Ramdurga and Bylahongala. Belgaum is getting water supply once in four days.
Protest
There are already reports of sporadic protests condemning dilution in quality and quantity of power across the district. Federation of Industries and Chamber of Commerce, Belgaum has called a meeting on June 21 in view of a direction by HESCOM to reduce power consumption.

The situation has all the ingredients to snowball into a major crisis. The Budget declaration to provide free power, will no doubt, catalyse the aggravation. Supply of quality power, much less free power seems to dominate the scene.

It was perhaps with this forethought that a farmer curtly remarked, “Forget about free power. Let the government supply quality power continuously for eight hours failing which the standing crops would wither away. Agriculture seems to be a despising job in future.”

The remark calls for an alacrity on the part of the government.