No load shedding in Karnataka: Karandlaje

The state government has decided to ask industries to draw less power during peak hours to save the common man from load shedding.

“In Bangalore, we have already requested the industries to draw less power during peak hour. Soon, we will call one more meeting and request them to keep their consumption at the minimum during peak hours,” said energy minister Shobha Karandlaje.

With summer picking up, there has been a marked increase in unscheduled power cuts in the state. Karandlaje, however, said there was no load shedding. “Sometimes power cuts happen due to maintenance work. We are trying our best to provide uninterrupted power supply without causing inconvenience to the common man, especially school students,” she said.

Karandlaje admitted that the power problem was acute last week. “But now the demand for power is 170 million units per day and we are supplying 164 million units,” said the minister.

Karandlaje said the government was providing three-phase power for up to six hours in the rural areas and single phase power is given from 6 pm to 6 am. “In Bangalore and other cities we are providing 24-hour power supply,” she said.

Karandlaje said the state would not purchase additional power anymore. She informed that there was frequent tripping in Raichur Thermal Power Plant due to technical problems. Currently, two units there have been shut off.

Shobha slams Centre
Karandalje came down heavily on the Union government for delaying the allotment of coal linkages to power projects in the state.

“The coal lobby is controlling the Union government. About 60-70 private coal companies hold coal blocks, but they are not using coal. They keep the users waiting to command high rate. The Centre should de-notify such coal blocks and allot it to various states,” she said.