In a bid to tap solar power and give a fillip to power generation from renewable energy sources, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar said on Tuesday that the new solar policy will be announced on Thursday.
He said the cabinet would discuss the new policy and present the power situation in the state. He was speaking after offering pooja at Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi Hills here. Shivakumar added that load-shedding has been introduced due to technical problems.
“It is not because of the shortage of power generation. The power situation has improved and we will focus on strengthening power generation. But it would be a critical situation if there are no rains,” he said.
On the power tariff hike, he said it was not the decision of the government. “The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission has taken a decision in this regard based on the pleas of various Escoms.”
He clarified that the power tariff hike will not be applicable to farmers and the poor who have Bhagya Jyoti connections and irrigation pump sets.
On various exit polls giving the advantage to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha elections, he said such surveys have gone wrong in the past. He confidently claimed that the Congress would win 16-17 seats in the state. Shivakumar added that the cabinet expansion and changing ministers’ portfolios are the prerogatives of the Chief Minister. The Congress government, which has completed one year in the office, is happy with its performance, he said.