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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
