Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar has admitted that the State government has not released the entire amount due to electricity supply companies (Escoms) in the last three years and there had been shortfalls in the actual demand and release.
Replying to a starred question by Allamprabhu Patil, Congress MLC, in the Legislative Council, Mr. Shivakumar said that as against the total dues of Rs. 4,399.37 crore, the government had released a sum of Rs. 3,880.78 crore in 2011-12; during 2012–13 as against the total of Rs. 4,960.45 crore, the government had released Rs. 4,833.8 crore, and during 2013-14 as against the total of Rs. 5,477.06 crore , the government had released Rs. 4,914.78 crore.
To another question, the Minister said 56,040 irrigation pumpsets of 10 HP capacity were being provided free power in Gulbarga district and 22,035 irrigation pumpsets were being provided free power in Yadgir district.
There was no proposal before the government to withdraw the scheme to provide free power to irrigation pumpsets of up to 10 HP capacity, he added.
(The Hindu)
