CM justifies power tariff hike

Says it is necessary to save energy supply companies

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that power tariff hike was necessary to save the ailing escoms in the State.

Addressing mediapersons during Janata Darshan held here on Monday, he said “Several electricity supply companies have sought hike in the tariffs from KERC (Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission) which has taken a decision. The State government has no say in the matter.”
While replying to questions, he rubbished allegations that differences between him and Energy Minister D K Shivakumar was the cause for rise in the tariffs.

Speaking on financial status of the State, he said that following the debacle of the previous government, finance of the State had improved during the past year and would improve further during the next few years.

With the Congress-led government set to complete an year of governance, he said that he had asked for a list of achievements from various departments, which would be reviewed. A convention will be held on May 19 to discuss the various achievements, he added.

Criticising the BJP government for failing to take up welfare programmes during its tenure, he said that several programmes of the Congress-led government such as Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya and others continued to benefit poor and downtrodden sections of the society.

On Cabinet expansion, he said that the party high command would take a decision.

Govt’s bonus: HDK

Reacting to the increase in the power tariff, JD(S) floor leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy made a sarcastic remark on the Congress government.

“The Congress government has given a bonus to the State by increasing the power tariff, two days before completing one year in government. Along with this power tariff hike, the increase in bus fare and the toll hike are indicative of the achievements of the Congress government which has been in power for the last one year,” Kumaraswamy said in a statement.