'Power shortage due to non-cooperation by Centre'

Karnataka is facing acute shortage of power owing to the non cooperation and partiality of the Central government towards the State. Hence, the State is not in a position to supply required power, said Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje.
Speaking at the inauguration of Sauravidyuth grama yojane wherein 150 families were provided with solar power, at a programme jointly organised by the Rotary Club of Ujire and Selco Ltd on Sunday, she said the State must get 1,750 mega watt electricity from the Central grid. “However, we were getting only 1,534 mega watt. Now it has been reduced to 950 mega watt. With this, how to meet the demand?” she asked.
She said the State government had entered into an agreement to produce 2,000 mega watt electricity in Chattisgarh. The State had purchased even land for it. However, as the Centre failed to supply coal, the project is getting delayed. The union ministers who are representing the State should provide justice to the State, she said.

“The State requires 8,000 mega watt electricity. If we supply uninterupted power supply, then the State will require 11,000 to 12,000 mega watts. There is lot of difference between the supply and the demand.”

“We could produce only 5,300 mega watts. The additional power is being purchased from outside. With the support of the Centre, the State will achieve self-sufficiency in electricity within two years,” she said.

She said Dakshina Kannada stands top in the payment of bill and electricity conservation. About 22 per cent of the electricity is getting wasted in the State due to transmission loss and the theft. However, in Dakshina Kannada, it is only 13 per cent.

By using CFL bulbs, the State can save 500 mega watt electricity daily. About six crore to seven crore CFL bulbs will be installed in the State by the year end.

She assured to complete the work on 33 kv sub station at Belthangady to supply quality electricity to the aluk. The substation will be set up at the cost of Rs 1.10 crore. Of the 389 hamlets, 189 hamlets will get power this year. The remaining 200 hamlets will get power by next year.

Solar

Karandlaje said the lone houses in the interiors of Belthangady taluk will be provided with solar electricity.

A proposal under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification was submitted to the Centre. As the Centre failed to provide the approval on time, the State has come forward to implement the project at the cost of Rs 5 crore.

Pumpsets

Karandlaje said the government has passed an order to regularise 1.45 lakh illegal pumpsets in the State. The process will complete by September 31.

‘UPCL can not be closed’

She said that there is no question of closing down the UPCL. The State will get 500 mega watt electricity through UPCL. “We will not neglect the farmers who are protesting against the UPCL. An expert team with the experts from NITK and MIT have been constituted to study the pollution in the region. I will visit the spot once I get the report.”

She said the problem of fly ash has been tackled in Raichur and Bellary Thermal power plants. In case of necessity, the technical help from Raichur and Bellary Thermal power plants will be given.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Mescom Managing Director Sumanth, Selco Director K M Udupa and others were present.