As many as 500 farmers, led by Karnataka Janashakti and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), marched through the major roads of Raichur on Monday braving the rains and staged a demonstration outside the office of Deputy Commissioner, demanding uninterrupted power supply to Raichur district.
Kumar Samatala, State convenor of Karnataka Janashakti, alleged that successive governments have been cheating poor farmers of Raichur district with false assurances of providing uninterrupted power supply. This, even though the district houses major State-owned power stations - Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) and Yermarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS) - which together contribute over half of the electricity that the State generates.
“Keeping the State’s larger interest, the farmers have given their lands for the establishment of these power stations and are tolerating the pollution that these power stations cause. Yet, they live in darkness even after sacrificing their livelihoods to illuminate the State. A large number of farmers in rain-fed areas and those along the Krishna and Tungabhadra river banks who are heavily dependent on irrigation pump-sets for their agricultural activities are in serious crisis owing to improper and insufficient power supply,” he said.
Attacking the Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company (Gescom), Mr. Samatala alleged that the State-owned power distributor was playing with the lives of poor farmers. “Gescom officials take months to replace a defunct transformer. They demand bribes from farmers for their normal and regular functions. How can farmers who completely depend on their pump-sets manage without power?” he asked.
Amaranna Gudihal, State secretary of KRRS, wanted the government to immediately address the power crisis before farmers take extreme steps. “These farmers are already in deep risis as they are repeatedly hit by floods, droughts, sky-rocketing prices of farm inputs and dropping prices for their produce. The power dearth has worsened their woes. If the government doesn’t feel the severity of the problem and take actions to address it, we will have to intensify our struggle for survival,” he warned.
Memorandum to CM
A memorandum, addressed to the Chief Minister, with a list of power-related demands was submitted to the office of Deputy Commissioner. The demands included uninterrupted power supply for 24 hours a day and seven days a week to Raichur district, replacement of transformers within 24 hours, significant increase in subsidies for solar-power irrigation pump-sets and dredging and rejuvenating of agricultural ponds, lakes and wells so as to make them a source of water for minor irrigation.
