Gadag: State govt is prioritising Kusum-B and Kusum-C schemes to ensure a continuous supply of electricity for seven hours during the day, for farmers’ agricultural pump sets, said energy minister KJ George.Presiding over a progress review meeting with district representatives and energy dept officials at Gadag ZP auditorium on Wednesday, George said that solar power will be provided under the Kusum-B scheme to pump sets located beyond 500 meters from the electricity grid. “The govt has increased the subsidy for this scheme from 30 to 50%. Similarly, under the Kusum-C scheme, solarisation of agricultural feeders is underway, enabling seven hours of electricity to farmers’ pump sets during the day,” he said.When our govt came to power in 2023, there were 4.5 lakh unauthorised agricultural pump sets in the state. After the Congress took office, 2.5 lakh unauthorised pump sets were regularised, and primary power was provided. The remaining pump sets will be regularised within a year. Additionally, we have introduced a renewed rapid connection scheme for farmers who wish to quickly obtain electricity connections. If farmers provide their own infrastructure, including the electricity grid, transformers are provided by Escoms, said the minister.“During our govt’s tenure, there was only a one-month power shortage. The issue was resolved by obtaining electricity on an exchange basis, from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Currently, there is no power shortage. Priority is to increase electricity production and ensure continuous supply to farmers,” he said.Infrastructure is being enhanced for proper supply of electricity with 100 new power substations being constructed by KPTCL. Plans are in place to establish more substations every year. Work is being done to store wind and solar power using batteries, he said.Gadag minister HK Patil said there is great potential for wind and solar power generation in Gadag district. “Farmers providing land for these projects should be given a 10% stake in the scheme. Previously, some concessions were given to Uttara Kannada district, which produces electricity. Gadag should also receive similar concessions,” he said.Hescom chairman Syed Azeem Peer S Khadri, managing director Vaishali ML, KPTCL managing director Pankaj Kumar Pandey, deputy commissioner CN Sridhar, and SP Rohan Jagadish, were present.George in DharwadMeanwhile, KJ George, who was present in Dharwad on Tuesday, also said, he would meet with the HDMC and the district administration to explore a project ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to the water pumping station at Saundatti and Amminbhavi.City MLAs have said that the 24X7 drinking water project is being hit due to unscheduled power cuts. To address the issue, the Hescom MD has been asked to meet the HDMC and the district administration on providing a separate feeder to the 24X7 drinking water supply maintained by L&T company, he added.
