Shobha Karandlaje, MP, said the State government has failed to increase the production of power and ensure its proper distribution. She was speaking at a convention of newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party-backed gram panchayat members, here on Tuesday.
Ms. Karandlaje said that even as parts of the State were facing drought, the farmers had to bear the burden of power shortage as well. The problem could be solved only if the State became self-reliant in power production.
With the Raichur Thermal Power Plant shutting down, the farmers would have to face even more problems as they would not be able to operate their pumpsets.
The State government had failed completely in checking the suicides of farmers, she said. There was also discrimination in the distribution of relief to them. Since the banks were issuing notices for loan repayment, farm suicides were showing no signs of stopping.
The State government should call a bankers’ meeting to solve the problem. Besides drought and power shortage, the farmers also had to deal with the problem of fodder shortage in rural areas. As a result, the farmers were indulging in distress sale of their cattle, which in turn only increased their problem, she said.
The Congress had neglected the development of Bengaluru city. When the BJP was in power, it had provided Rs. 3,500 crore for the development of Bengaluru.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was silent on the development of Bengaluru, was now doing regular rounds there after the elections were announced for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, Ms. Karandlaje alleged.
T.V. Hegde, K. Udaykumar Shetty, Kiran Kodgi, Sheela K. Shetty, Shyamala Kundar, Lalaji Mendon, Bola Sadashiva Shetty, Mohan Upadhya, K. Naveen Shetty, were among those present.
