As many as 500 farmers, led by the Karnataka Janashakti and the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), marched through the streets in the rain here on Monday and staged a demonstration outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner demanding uninterrupted power supply for the district.
Kumar Samatala, State convener, Karnataka Janashakti, alleged that successive governments had been cheating poor farmers with false promises of providing uninterrupted power supply to the district that housed state-owned power stations such as the Raichur Thermal Power Station and the Yermarus Thermal Power Station, which together contributed to over half of the electricity generated in the State.
“The farmers gave their land for the establishment of these power stations keeping the larger interests of the State and are tolerating the pollution caused by them. Yet, they live in darkness. A large number of farmers in rain-fed areas and those along the Krishna and Tungabhadra riverbanks, who are heavily dependent on irrigation pumpsets for farming activities, are in a serious crisis owing to improper and insufficient power supply,” he said.
Mr. Samatala alleged that the Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company (Gescom) was playing with the lives of poor farmers.
“Gescom officials take months to replace a defunct transformer. They demand bribe from farmers for their normal and regular functions. How can farmers, who are completely dependent on power for their pumpsets, manage without it?” he said.
Amaranna Gudihal, State secretary, KRRS, demanded that the government address the power crisis before farmers take extreme steps.
“These farmers are already in a deep crisis as they are repeatedly hit by floods, droughts, skyrocketing prices of farm inputs and low prices for their produce. The power shortage has worsened their woes. If the government doesn’t feel the severity of the problem and take steps to address it, we will have to intensify our struggle for survival,” he said.
A memorandum, addressed to the Chief Minister, with a list of demands was submitted to the office of the Deputy Commissioner.
Demands
Their 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 pumpsets; and dredging and rejuvenation of agricultural ponds, lakes and wells to make them a source of water for minor irrigation.
