Bengaluru, June 13: The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged the state government to refrain from privatizing the power sector. They warned that such a move could push farmers to protest on the streets.
During a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Bengaluru, former Deputy Chief Minister and MP Govind Karjol claimed that the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and the state government are instilling fear among farmers. He argued that allowing private companies, such as Tata Power, to participate in electricity distribution could lead to widespread opposition from the farming community.
In response to a question, Karjol stated that private companies primarily operate for profit. He argued that if maintenance of power lines is handed over to these companies, farmers would have to bear the costs of repairing damaged structures, such as burnt transmission lines or transformers, based on the rates set by the companies.
He emphasized that private firms are profit-driven. Currently, the government charges farmers between 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh rupees for IP set connections and transformers. He warned that in the future, private companies might demand 4 lakh to 5 lakh rupees for the same services.
Karjol recalled that during the BJP’s tenure, farmers could obtain IP set connections and transformers by paying 25,000 rupees and submitting applications without significant difficulties. However, since the Congress government took power, farmers have been compelled to pay up to 3 lakh rupees for these services, causing substantial hardship for the agricultural community.
In response to another question regarding Dharmasthala, Karjol mentioned that the government is investigating the matter through a Special Investigation Team (SIT). He described Dharmasthala as a sacred and revered pilgrimage site and urged the government to resolve the issue promptly.
Meanwhile, former Karnataka Minister B. Shriramulu accused the Congress government of attempting to discontinue the same guarantees under the pretext of verification and amendment. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shriramulu stated that the people of Karnataka never demanded such guarantee schemes from the government. He alleged that the Congress announced them for political gain.
He pointed out that women did not request free bus travel, yet the government implemented it and is now trying to reduce or eliminate these guarantees. Shriramulu claimed that there are reports of payments from the Gruha Lakshmi scheme being deposited into the accounts of deceased beneficiaries, indicating serious flaws in the scheme’s implementation. He stated that there is confusion within the government regarding these guarantees, and failures have occurred at every level. Congress leaders had claimed these guarantees were for everyone, but now they are trying to halt their proper implementation. The government should apologize to the people of the state.
–
Leave a Comment