“Disparity in supply of electricity to villages is considered to be one of the prime reasons for the continued backwardness and poverty in rural Karnataka. The unreliable electricity supply has led to severe problems in areas of drinking water, agricultural activities, education health etc...” states a open letter addressed to the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.
The letter has several signatories including Rashtrakavi Dr G S Shivrudrappa, Justice M Rama Jois, MP Rajya Sabha, Dr Kambara, writer, Dr Baragur Ramchandrappa, A N Yellappa Reddy, who have asked the government to re-consider their ‘lopsided’ allocation of electricity in the State.
The letter begins by criticising the government for “pouring thousands of crores of rupees every year to meet the electricity demand in the State but none of the schemes satisfying the consumers.
It has stated that the shortage of electricity is leading to “slow death of villages” and “exploding urban migration”, phenomenons that are not in the interest of the State. The government has been urged to set up a committee to review the past and present practices in the power sector and to form policies for the future which are people-friendly, environment-friendly and sustainable.
The letter has asked the government to identify the “legitimate demand” for electricity and the true rate of growth of electricity demand in the State keeping in mind the real developmental needs of all sections of the society and the limit of the nature in supporting this demand.
It has further asked the government to encourage small size, distributed type of renewable energy sources by providing the necessary financial and technical assistance where required.
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