<p>Energy Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said power utilities will require about Rs 7,130 crore to supply electricity to all irrigation pump (IP) sets in the State.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“Ten years ago, we could have managed with Rs 1, 200 crore. But today, with demand for irrigation pump sets increasing every year, we have to consider as to who will benefit from free power being given to farmers. All these, and other issues will be discussed at an open house meeting with farmers, former vice-chancellors and ryot leaders on March 28,” he said. <br /><br />If the Energy Department intends to regularise the existing illegal power connections, a rough estimate suggests that it will cost Rs seven lakh per connection, he added.<br /><br />Pre-budget meetingOn Tuesday, Shivakumar conducted a pre-budget meeting with former agriculture university vice-chancellors and his department officials over the financial burden the department is facing due to free power being allocated to the farmers. Under the slogan ‘Save Farmers Save Power’, the department will have conduct an open house discussion on all issues pertaining to power allocation towards agriculture sector, he added.</p>
<p>Energy Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said power utilities will require about Rs 7,130 crore to supply electricity to all irrigation pump (IP) sets in the State.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“Ten years ago, we could have managed with Rs 1, 200 crore. But today, with demand for irrigation pump sets increasing every year, we have to consider as to who will benefit from free power being given to farmers. All these, and other issues will be discussed at an open house meeting with farmers, former vice-chancellors and ryot leaders on March 28,” he said. <br /><br />If the Energy Department intends to regularise the existing illegal power connections, a rough estimate suggests that it will cost Rs seven lakh per connection, he added.<br /><br />Pre-budget meetingOn Tuesday, Shivakumar conducted a pre-budget meeting with former agriculture university vice-chancellors and his department officials over the financial burden the department is facing due to free power being allocated to the farmers. Under the slogan ‘Save Farmers Save Power’, the department will have conduct an open house discussion on all issues pertaining to power allocation towards agriculture sector, he added.</p>
