No load-shedding for now, says K.J. George

Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George on Sunday said Karnataka is not facing a load-shedding situation at present and there is no immediate need to impose power cuts, even as the State is facing a shortage of about 1,000 MW.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Mr. George said the Energy Department had been managing the electricity situation for the past six to eight months by procuring additional power from other States.

“As of now, there is no need for load-shedding. If the demand goes up further in the coming days, the issue will be discussed with the Chief Minister and in the Cabinet, and a decision will be taken on whether to go for load-shedding,” he said.

He said Karnataka was procuring additional power from States such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. However, several States were also facing a power shortage owing to the poor monsoon.

“If we seek 500 MW, we are getting only 50 or 100 MW. Our thermal plant at Raichur is undergoing repairs. Owing to cloudy weather and reduced wind, power generation from renewable energy sources has also declined. Nevertheless, we are managing the situation,” he said.

Mr. George said the demand for electricity was increasing and acknowledged that there had been an issue with power supply for two days. Irrigation pump sets (IP sets) were supplied six hours of power instead of the scheduled seven hours, he said, adding that the full seven-hour supply would soon be restored.

‘Siddaramaiah will speak when he wants to’

Asked about former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah maintaining a low profile after demitting office, Mr. George said the former Chief Minister would speak whenever he wanted to. He denied speculation that Mr. Siddaramaiah had distanced himself from his close confidants.

“I am close to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and was close to the former Chief Ministers, including Mr. Siddaramaiah, Bangarappa, Veerendra Patil. and Gundu Rao. But this question should be asked to Mr. Siddaramaiah and not me,” he said.

He said leaders H.C. Mahadevappa and Satish Jarkiholi were part of the Congress family and maintained cordial relations with everyone. “We met at the CLP meeting,” he added.

Asked about the disappearance of an engineer, Mr. George said the issue should be raised with the department concerned or Minister. When reporters persisted, he expressed displeasure and reiterated that the matter should be taken up with the authorities concerned.