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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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
