Karnataka to discuss issue of unauthorised pumpsets

A meeting of farmers leaders and stakeholders has been called here on March 28 to discuss growing number of unauthorised pump sets and various other issues, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar said today.

“Looking at the present power situation in the state and in order to protect and safeguard our farmers the government has called a meeting of farmer leaders to take their advice and seek their cooperation,” Shivakumar said. Speaking to reporters after chairing a high-level meeting here with the aim — ‘protect farmers, save electricity’, Shivakumar highlighted the problems faced by electricity supply companies (Escoms) due to unauthorised pump sets.

He said Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission has asked for energy audit on the power consumption by farmers. He said KERC had blocked release of over Rs 7,000 crore by the government to Escoms, demanding accountability. He said he had a meeting with officials from irrigation, agriculture, horticulture and minor irrigation departments where it was decided to call a meeting of farmer organisations and representatives along with experts from various organisations for an open discussion on various issues.

“We will place facts before them in the meeting and also try to know about facilities availed by the farmers cultivating dry land, cultivating with irrigation from dams or canals and those using borewells. We will also try to know from them whether the facilities are reaching them or not,” he added.

Stating that subsidies had increased from Rs 1,200 crore 10 years ago to Rs 7,200 crore now, Shivakumar said, “We will have to discuss it. We will have to see whether it is burdening the state. We will have to know whether it is actually benifitting the farmers or not.” Issues relating to usage of ground water, giving new connections, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy among others would also be discussed, he said.

Shivakumar reiterated that the department has set March 31 as the deadline for farmers to regularise unauthorised pump sets and warned of “merciless action” in cases of violations. He said government has decided to purchase 100,000 transformers. Out of this, order has been placed for 50,000 which had already come.