Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on Saturday said steps to mitigate the burden on electricity consumers would be announced after the imminent hike in power tariff was announced.
Mr. Gowda told presspersons here that there would definitely be a hike in power tariff because of increase in the input costs. “The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) is an independent body, we cannot interfere with its decision. We will take a decision (reducing the burden on consumers) on the basis of what will be the quantum of hike,” he said
Mr. Gowda said he reviewed the works in the power sector on Friday. “In the light of likely hike in power tariff, I need to have discussions at various levels and take steps to reduce the burden on the common man,” he said.Mr. Gowda said he hoped to meet eight leaders from Opposition parties from the two houses of the Legislature next week. The leaders of the Opposition parties spoke to him over the phone and expressed their difficulty in attending the tea hosted by him on Friday.
“I will call them next week and I hope all will come,” he added.
On the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa' s reported statement that he would come to power after five months, Mr. Gowda said “Whosoever has given such a statement has to comment on it. I personally feel that it will not be fair for another person to say anything.”
On corruption, Mr. Gowda said the root cause was delay in disposal of files. Mr. Gowda said that he had started the process of getting in touch with the officials at the grassroots and quicken the pace of administration.
To start with, Mr. Gowda said, he would have video conferences with the deputy commissioners from next week. Then he would interact with the chief executive officers and tahsildars. “We need to have direct contact with the officers at the grassroots,” he said.
Mr. Gowda said that he held a 90-minute discussion with senior police officers on Friday on the ways to motivate the police force and make officials know the expectations the people had from the police.
“I do not dream that everything will change over a short period. But I am taking steps in that direction. I am confident of succeeding (in future),” Mr. Gowda said.
Sadananda Gowda hopes to meet eight leaders from Opposition parties soon
To have video conferences with deputy commissioners from next week
