BANGALORE: Power Minister D K Shivakumar said on Saturday that the government will take action against those opposing the Kudgi power plant in Bijapur district.
Addressing farmers from across the state, Shivakumar said there was no opposition from “so-called farmers” when the project was announced 2-3 years ago. “But now, those who did not bag work contracts for the project are spreading rumours that the plant is a threat to the environment.
“We have details of all the protesters and their families. We will take action against them at an appropriate time,” he said.
He said work on the Rs 15,000-crore project, with 50 per cent funding from the Centre, must progress without delay.
“Sixteen per cent of the power produced in the state is supplied to farmers of Bijapur, Belgaum, Bagalkot and surrounding districts,” Shivakumar said. He said there are 22 lakh pumpsets in the state, of which two lakh are in Belgaum.
“We are spending Rs 7,000 crore on free electricity to farmers. We are aware of the problems faced by farmers but where do we supply power from? We need the plant. We will show our farmers the thermal plants in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to let them know the reality,” he said.