JOIN USNo response from State for power projects: Shinde
Speaking to reporters after participating in a meeting of Advisory Committee on usage of Hindi in the department here, he said that the Centre is ready to co-operate with the State with regard to power production.
“The State government should join hands with the Centre. It is the responsibility of the State governments to produce power based on requirement. However, what can be done if Karnataka government does not provide land for the project,” he questioned adding that the State has been included in the list of states, which failed in power production.
The Government should not withdraw from the proposals of mega power projects, Shindhe said adding, “the State government is not showing interest in producing power using ocean waves in Coastal region and in coal based power units.”
He said that states including Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Gujarath have already made use of the Centre sanctions for power projects of ocean waves and coal. However, the Karnataka did not show interest so far, he lamented.
1.15 lakh villages
Shinde said that the Centre has plans to provide electricity to 1.15 lakh villages through Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electricity Scheme, which was started in 2005.
As many as 85,000 villages were already given power supply, he said adding that the remaining villages will be completed by 2012.
He said that the nation has seen considerable progess in the power production sector. The power production, which was 1.21 lakh MW when he took charge as the Minister, has been increased to 1.61 lakh MW.
Film Star Ambarish and coffee grower Vinod Shivappa bid farewell to the Minister, who was on his way to New Delhi.