Rural areas to get 6 hrs of 3-phase power in summer
The decision had been taken in view of the improved generation in Raichur, Bellary and Udupi thermal power stations, the minister told mediapersons. Moreover, the hydro-electric power stations too were producing to their maximum capacity, she said. Hence, the government had decided to provide quality power supply in both rural and urban areas in the State, Karandlaje said.
The government, she said, was committed to provide single-phase power between 6 in the evening and 6 in the morning to facilitate students. Further, supply of three-phase power during night was also being contemplated.
Defending the increase in power tariff, she said said it was inevitable as farmers were being provided with power free of cost, and the five escoms in the State had a debt burden of Rs 5,000 crore. Karandlaje said the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) had proposed an increase of 75 paise per unit, but the government had agreed to hike the tariff by 30 paise. The minister, however had no answer to a question on the retrospective hike from December 7.
Karandlaje, however said her department was awaiting approval of the Finance department for the recruitment of linemen in all Bescoms, which had a 50 percent shortfall of linemen. Also, her department would also take action to make recruitments under the sports quota, she said.
The minister said action would be taken to ensure that CFL and LED lamps replaced incandescent bulbs in all Bescom areas by March 31. She said she had no information on complaints that CFL and LED lamps had manufacturing faults.
Action against firm
The minister said the government would take action against the firm, Comat Technologies, which had been contracted to distribute PDS cards to the public, for failing its contract obligations. The firm had not only failed to to supply the cards to the beneficiaries within the stipulated time, but also supplied cards to an excess of 25 lakh families .
Distribution of cards had been stopped until the contractual dispute with Comat was resolved, Karandlaje said, adding that the gridlock may continue for another three months.