BENGALURU: The state may be in for long power cuts and big tariff hikes, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday.
The power deficit has touched 4,000 MW and is likely to have an adverse impact on the state’s economy, he said.
He chatted with reporters at Mavalli Tiffin Room, the famous eatery near Lalbagh, after visiting parts of southern Bengaluru.
Expressing concern over the inadequate water stock at the Linganamakki and Supa reservoirs, the chief minister hinted at harsh measures to tide over the crisis. “We are closely watching the power situation,” he said, in the course of his breakfast visit.
Disclosing that the daily production had came down by more than 4,000 MW because of the dwindling water levels at Linganamakki, Supa, Mani, Kadra and Kodasalli in the Kali valley, he said, “The authorities are struggling to maintain a steady supply to the various electricity supply companies.”
He said it was not possible for the government to bridge the shortfall by purchasing power from private producers. “We have to chalk out other ways to address the problem,” he said.
The state would need about Rs 3,000 crore in the next six to eight months to tide over the crisis, he said. The Energy Department had recently announced plans to go in for short-term procurement of 750 MW by spending Rs 342 crore a month. The expected additional expenditure adds up to Rs 3,078 crore, up to May 2016. The shutdown of the coal-fired 1,200 MW Udupi Power Corporation Limited, due to a technical snag, has further compounded the power crisis in the state.
Farmers to Open Dasara? The government may extend the honour of inaugurating the 10-day Dasara festivities to a group of farmers.
Revenue Minister Srinivas Prasad, who is also minister in charge of Mysuru district, had mooted the idea, in an effort to boost the confidence of farmers.
“We have not taken a decision yet,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.
While renowned playwright Girish Karnad had inaugurated the 2014 Dasara, another Jnanpith awardee, Chandrashekhar Kambar, had flagged off the Dasara procession the year before that.