Annual rural power subsidy may top Rs 4,500 cr in Karnataka

Huge increase in the rural electrification subsidy continues to remain a serious concern for the state government, which brought out this latest report that called for certain immediate steps to prevent the power subsidy from reaching unsustainable levels in the future.

Irrigation pumpsets (IP) up to 10 HP consume approximately 35 per cent of the power available in the State, where presently more than 90 per cent of the IP sets have not been metered and the exact quantum of electricity consumed by them is not ascertainable,said the report.

"Government for the years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10, spent Rs 2297 crore, Rs 1943 crore and Rs 2341 crore, respectively, for the rural electrification subsidy", the MTFP said.

It also noted that 35 per cent of the power procured by ESCOMs (electricity supply companies) from independent power producers in the State is yielding no returns as this power too is being supplied free to IP sets.