Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore Nov 7: In a cabinet meeting held here on Thursday November 6, the government decided to totally lift the unscheduled load shedding currently in force in cities and towns and also provide a minimum of six hours of quality power to the agricultural pumpsets from November 14 onwards.

Under the freshly approved scheme, villages will get six hours each of three-phase and single phase power every day.  The load shedding enforced din towns, cities etc. will be cancelled from the above date, informed rural development minister Shobha Karandlaje.  "All preparations have been made to enforce this decision. Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited is being provided with Rs 100 crore to enable it to by 500 mega watts of power daily," she explained.

The government is also concentrating on augmenting power generation in the state. It is planning to generate 2,400 mw of power through a joint venture of Karnataka Power Corporation and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., the minister added.

The cabinet also approved of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation's plan to buy 900 new buses and gave nod to its plans to avail of loans to the tune of Rs 100 crore from commercial banks. The state will also provide Rs 100 crore a capital to Karnataka State Finance Corporation, which in turn will be provided to irrigation corporations through loans, she stated.