'Supply power to drinking water projects within 24 hrs'

Those supplying surplus power to State grid will get cash returns: Minister

Energy Minister D K Shivkumar has said that he has directed all the Electricity supply companies (Escoms) in the state to provide electricity supply to drinking water projects of urban local bodies and gram panchayats within 24 hours of submitting application for the same.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Sunday, he said that there were complaints on delay in electricity connections to the water projects.  If anyone fails to meet the deadline, then such official will be suspended. Drinking water will be given prominence as there are 100 taluks that have been declared as drought-hit taluks in Karnataka. 
Solar energy

He said that individual households and enterprises in the State that generate their own solar power on their rooftops and supply surplus to the State grid will get cash returns shortly. In order to encourage renewable energy, the Karnataka government will come out with a solar energy policy soon. 

“The State government has started taking into consideration, the views of various stakeholders on tapping solar energy potentials in the state. A meter installed in these solar power generating homes will measure the internal usage and contribution to the grid. The individuals who generate and supply to the grid will get higher tariff, which will be announced by the KERC. We have fixed a slab of Rs 8.40 per unit.” 

A press release from Mescom said that 59 beneficiaries can install 0.5 kilowatt unit each in the house at a cost of Rs 52,500. The unit cost is Rs 1,05,000 and the Central government will provide a subsidy of 30 per cent and the State government with 20 per cent. 

One kilo watt capacity unit can be installed by 30 beneficiaries at a cost of Rs 1,05,000 per unit. The cost per unit is Rs 2,10,000 and the Central government will provide a subsidy of 30 per cent and the State government with 20 per cent. Under the rooftop solar project, 89 beneficiaries can avail the subsidy in the Mescom jurisdiction, to the tune of Rs 62,47,500. 

The release said that 1,453 rural houses which could not be provided with electricity will get electricity under cenrtalised distribution generation scheme of Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification scheme.

This includes 42 villages and 98 hamlets of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shimoga and Chikmagalur districts. Out of 42 villages, Dakshina Kannada—11 (406 houses), Udupi—9 (312 houses), Shimoga—3 (153 houses) and Chikmagalur —19 villages (582 houses). The estimated cost of the project is Rs 8.68 crore.