Erratic power: Consumers call for Kolar bundh on Nov 6

Former legislator K Srinivasagowda, addressing a press meet here on Tuesday said that while Energy Minister Eshwarappa claims there is no load shedding, the entire district is reeling under power drought for the past few days. The engineers and offices of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company are evading public contact itself.

Discrimination
While 100 MW of power is being supplied to Malur, Kolar taluk is getting only 10 MW. The discrimination is on account of the fact that Malur is represented by a BJP legislator, he alleged and called upon all consumers to protest the discrimination in power supply, cutting across party lines.
The oral requests made to Chief Minister and the Energy Minister have failed to ease the situation.

A letter will be written to authorities of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company and Karntaka Power Transmission Corporation Limited. The bundh call will be withdrawn in case a convincing reply is received.
In case of no response, siege will be laid to the office of Superintending Engineer of Bescom situated on Kolar-Bangalore road. Dharna will be held until the officers come to spot, he said and requested all the consumers to participate in large numbers.
Meanwhile, the members of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha declared their support for the bundh call.

Zilla Panchayat member Naganal Somanna, Taluk Panchayat president V B Udayashankar and others were present on the occasion.
On the other hand, activists of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged a dharna in front of the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) on Tuesday. Earlier, they took out a protest march from Travellers Bungalow up to Bescom via Government College Road, Mekke Circle, M B Road and Bangalore Road.

Business affected
The district lacks any irrigation facility and farmers are totally dependent on borewells for irrigation. Bescom is resorting to unscheduled power cut without any prior information as a result of which the farmers are put to untold suffering. Students are unable to pursue their studies while business community is bearing the brunt in the form of reduced turnover, they alleged.

The protesters demanded Bescom should take steps to supply 110 to 120 MW of power during day and 130 to 150 MW of power during night times.