10-hr blackout in rural areas threatens to hamper crop output
People in Karnataka, especially farmers, are upset
with the state government’s decision to cut power for 10 hours daily in rural areas and two hours in cities. Besides, power will not be supplied to gram panchayats that do not pay their electricity bills.
Justifying its stand, state energy minister KS Eshwarappa says: “In August, we require 120 million units, but are able to generate only 117 million units. In Septmber, the demand is 125 million units, where as our generation capacity is only 119 units. So we do not have any other choice, but to cut power. Moreover, the minister says this has been done to make optimum use of the energy available in the state. The power supply companies have been informed.
However, the government’s decision will have a debilitating effect on the farmers. Last year they had lost almost 60 per cent of their crops because of less rain. This year though the rain has been good, but the power outages are likely to hamper crop production, say agriculture experts.
According to the official report of Karnataka State Farmers’ Association there are more than 30 lakh farmers who use electric pump-set and more than 1.5 crore hectares of farm land depend on electricity. It also points out that non-availability of electricity translates into 30 to 40 per cent fall in farm output.
Karnataka State Farmers Association’s Secretary V Ashok tells TSI that we voted for this government because it had assured farmers a better deal. “In its election manifesto the ruling BJP had promised to give 24 hours power supply to farmers. But the recent decision of 10-hour power cut reflects bad on the government,” he said.
“The farmers are in distress. The government is ignoring the countryside by cutting power for only two hours in cities. In my district only there are more than 70,000 farmers who are dependent on electricity for farm related work. Has the government ever thought about them? The BJP government is doing injustice with us by not supplying electricity in villages,” says a furious Somu Buddu Swamy, farmers’ leader of Challakere Taluk, Chitradurga district.
What has angered state’s farmers the most is that there will be no power cut in Bangalore. And to sort out power crisis the state energy minister has a plan to convert Bangalore into a ‘solar city’. But apparently the government has got no time to think about small industries – running in loss and students suffering of power cut in rural parts of the state.
People in Karnataka, especially farmers, are upset
with the state government’s decision to cut power for 10 hours daily in rural areas and two hours in cities. Besides, power will not be supplied to gram panchayats that do not pay their electricity bills.Justifying its stand, state energy minister KS Eshwarappa says: “In August, we require 120 million units, but are able to generate only 117 million units. In Septmber, the demand is 125 million units, where as our generation capacity is only 119 units. So we do not have any other choice, but to cut power. Moreover, the minister says this has been done to make optimum use of the energy available in the state. The power supply companies have been informed.
However, the government’s decision will have a debilitating effect on the farmers. Last year they had lost almost 60 per cent of their crops because of less rain. This year though the rain has been good, but the power outages are likely to hamper crop production, say agriculture experts.
According to the official report of Karnataka State Farmers’ Association there are more than 30 lakh farmers who use electric pump-set and more than 1.5 crore hectares of farm land depend on electricity. It also points out that non-availability of electricity translates into 30 to 40 per cent fall in farm output.
Karnataka State Farmers Association’s Secretary V Ashok tells TSI that we voted for this government because it had assured farmers a better deal. “In its election manifesto the ruling BJP had promised to give 24 hours power supply to farmers. But the recent decision of 10-hour power cut reflects bad on the government,” he said.
“The farmers are in distress. The government is ignoring the countryside by cutting power for only two hours in cities. In my district only there are more than 70,000 farmers who are dependent on electricity for farm related work. Has the government ever thought about them? The BJP government is doing injustice with us by not supplying electricity in villages,” says a furious Somu Buddu Swamy, farmers’ leader of Challakere Taluk, Chitradurga district.
What has angered state’s farmers the most is that there will be no power cut in Bangalore. And to sort out power crisis the state energy minister has a plan to convert Bangalore into a ‘solar city’. But apparently the government has got no time to think about small industries – running in loss and students suffering of power cut in rural parts of the state.
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