Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Dec 10: Contrary to reports received from Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) that electricity charges across the state were hiked with effect from midnight on Tuesday December 7, state energy minister, Shobha Karandlaje, said that the state government is yet to take a final decision on the proposal of KERC. She clarified that the recommendations made by the commission are under the consideration of the government, addressing a press conference here on Thursday December 9.
It had earlier been informed that power tariff hike ranging from 26 paise to 30 paise per unit had been effected in five electricity supply companies, which manage power distribution within the state.
“During summer, it will be ensured that farmers will get not less than six hours of power every day. At present, the state is buying 1,000 mw of power per day, and during summer, an additional 250 mw of power will be required for consumption. The thermal power units set up in Udupi, Raichur and Bellary have been functioning well. We are moving towards becoming self-sufficient in power generation and distribution,” she explained. She blamed lack of proper planning on the part of successive governments about the power requirements and industries that are proposed to come up in the state in advance, for the present shortage of power. She asked the entrepreneurs and industrialists to take note of the fact that at night, about 500 mw of power generated in the state goes to central grid, without being utilized here.
She expressed the confidence that the popular schemes implemented by the government will ensure victory for BJP candidates in the ensuing zilla and taluk panchayats.
She expressed herself in favour of banning endosulfan insecticide, and revealed that the state government would be contributing Rs 25 lac towards a rehabilitation work being undertaken for endosulfan victims by Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade.
Shobha refused to be drawn into controversy over Lokayukta’s remarks, saying that she has lot of respect for Justice Santosh Hegde.
BJP Dakshina Kannada unit president, Padmanabh Kottary, MLA, N Yogish Bhat, and Mescom director, Rama Amin Pachchnady, were present.