Government committed to providing seven hours of continuous power supply to farmers: KJ George
Bengaluru: Minister for Energy Department, KJ Geroge on Friday announced that the state government is committed to providing seven hours of continuous power supply output in a day to farmers, and that the government is expediting works related to solarization of agricultural feeders.
Speaking after visiting the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Area Congress office on Queen’s Road in Bengaluru and receiving a petition from party leaders and workers, the minister said steps are being taken to provide daytime power supply to farmers by solarising substations that supply electricity to the agriculture sector under the Kusum-C scheme. He said the initiative aims to generate 2,500 MW of solar power.
George said the state is also providing solar pump sets under the Kusum-B scheme with a subsidy of up to 80 per cent, which he described as the highest in the country.
Calling it a major initiative by the Energy Department for the agriculture sector, he said, “the department is contributing significantly to the state’s development by ensuring reliable electricity supply to both the public and farmers.”
He further said that, “under the Gruha Jyoti scheme, up to 200 units of free electricity are being provided to domestic consumers, benefiting around 1.65 crore families across the state. The department is working to utilise available opportunities to improve farmers’ prosperity.”
By integrating solar energy into agricultural power supply, pressure on power infrastructure is being reduced and power theft is being curbed, the minister said, adding that the state has made progress in power generation while maintaining reliable transmission.
Referring to the government’s guarantee schemes, George said these programmes have strengthened the financial position of people.
He said the government allocated Rs 55,000 crore for guarantee schemes last year, through which families are receiving benefits worth about Rs 5,000 per month.
He claimed that Karnataka has emerged as number one in the country in terms of per capita income. At the same time, he alleged that despite the state contributing nearly Rs 4 lakh crore in taxes, it receives only about Rs 60,000 crore in return from the Centre, accusing the Union government of hindering the state’s development.
Minister slams BJP for “pseudo-patriotism.”
George also criticised the BJP, alleging that its leaders indulge in what he termed “pseudo-patriotism.”
He said former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru came from a wealthy family but still went to prison along with Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle, and claimed that no BJP leader had made similar sacrifices for the country.
He said the Congress party’s contributions have played a key role in the nation’s development, while accusing the BJP of limiting itself to speeches during elections.
Bengaluru North Division president Wajid, Central Division president Nandakumar, KPCC media secretary Deepak Thimmaiah, S. Manohar, and leaders and workers from the Sarvajnanagar constituency were present on the occasion.
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India's neighbours wanted to break up Assam but Modi govt shattered their dreams: Fadnavis
Dibrugarh/Jorhat (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed India's neighbours wanted to "break up" Assam by taking advantage of the unrest here earlier, but their "dreams were shattered" as the Narendra Modi government brought peace to the region.
Militancy has come to an end, and 92 per cent of the assurances made in the peace agreements with various groups have already been implemented, he told a poll rally.
Fadnavis maintained that the BJP-led government in Assam has not only ensured the state's development but also protected its identity.
He accused the Congress of having neglected the state and the northeastern region by adopting a "step-motherly attitude" towards them, while Modi has put the region at the centre of development.
Addressing a rally in support of BJP's Dibrugarh candidate Prasanta Phukan, Fadnavis said, "Due to the unrest in the state earlier, neighbouring countries thought they would break Assam someday. But their dreams were shattered by Modi ji, and Assam is progressing fast today."
Crediting the BJP government for bringing the militant groups to the mainstream, the Maharashtra chief minister said not only were peace accords signed with them, but 92 per cent of the assurances made have been implemented.
"Work is on for implementing the remaining eight per cent of promises also," he added.
Highlighting the various welfare measures of the state government, Fadnavis said special emphasis was being given on women's empowerment in line with the Centre's thrust on it.
"Women have benefited the most under Modiji's government. It will be 'Mahila raaj' from 2029 when 33 per cent reservation is implemented in Parliament and state Assemblies," he added.
Speaking at another rally in support of the BJP's Jorhat candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami earlier, the Maharashtra chief minister alleged that infiltration was at its peak in Assam under Congress governments.
"People had to launch a movement against it, and scores were martyred. But the influx did not stop, and the state was burning. It was staring at a full demographic change."
"But the situation changed when Modi came to power. Infiltration has been stopped, and almost all militant groups in the state are returning to the mainstream," he claimed.
Fadnavis claimed that the state's demography would have changed and Assam's history would have been rewritten under the Congress rule.
"But the Modi government works not just for development, but also protects the state's identity, culture, history, and tradition," he said.
He told the gathering that the BJP-led government has ensured massive infrastructure development for the state.
Mentioning the Tata Group's semiconductor unit at Jagiroad, Fadnavis said, "It is a gift of Modi ji to Assam. It will place the state on the global map."
He added that countries with the ability to manufacture semiconductors will be global leaders in the future, and India has joined the elite ranks of a handful of nations.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Fadnavis alleged it had always adopted a "step-motherly attitude" towards the northeast, due to which the region did not see much development, and was embroiled in unrest.
He also criticised the opposition party for its "anti-national stance" during the West Asia crisis, claiming it was trying to create discontentment among the people by raising false doubts over the availability of LPG and fuel.
"We had also been in the opposition, but we had never acted in such a shameful manner," he said.
Taking a dig at state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, who is also the opposition party's candidate in Jorhat, Fadnavis said, "Those in Lok Sabha should remain there. BJP will return to power, and he will have no work here."
Gogoi is also the opposition party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.
