Minister defends lifting load shedding 'temporarily'

Udupi, Aug 16 (UNI) Karnataka Minister for Energy K S Eshwarappa today asserted lifting load shedding 'temporarily' stating that the situation has improved due to widespread rainfall and functioning hydel power stations in the state.

"With good rain all over the state during the past few days and functioning of both hydel and thermal power plants, the power situation has improved and hence had lifted power shedding 'temporarily'.

Talking to press persons on the sidelines of the inaugural function of + Sri Krishna Janmastami Navotsav+ (nine day celebration of Janmastami) at the famous Sri Krishna temple here, he said that with the import of coal from foreign countries besides within the country, all the six unit of Raichur Thermal Power plant were now working. The government had also placed order for import of 12 lakh tones of coal from foreign country to run the plant without break.

Three units in Raichur were shut down due to short supply of coal now the situation had been totally improved with supply of coal both domestically and from import, he said.

He said that the 500 MW. Bellary thermal station had also started producing power from this month improving the power situation in the state. He clarified that there was some problem with two 120 MW power units Mahatma Gandhi Power station while there was no problem with 1015 MW unit at Linganmakki. Even the problem at MG power station had now solved, he said hoping that there would not be any power problem during the entire year in the state.

Replying to a question, he said that the government had not yet singed any MoU (memorandum of Understanding) with the Chattisgarh government regarding the purchase of power from that state. The Chattisgarh government wants to pass on the penalty which was demanded by the Uttar Pradesh government for withdrawing the supply and sell to Karnataka. But talks are still underway and we are hopeful that the Chattisgarh would agree to our terms and supply the power at Rs.7 per unit, he said.

He said that efforts were on to set up an additional two 500 MW units at Raichur. When these projects were completed, the state would have an additional 4000 Mw power production in the next five year period easing the power problem, he said.

Replying another query on the comments made by the JD(S) spokespersons Y S V Datta, Mr Eshwarappa said that it was true that the BJP when it was in opposition had opposed Tadadi and Chamalapura thermal projects due to lack of proper technology on the use of fly ash and direct flow of treated water to the sea. But the government had now fully satisfied with the views of the experts on the efficient use of fly ash with use of modern technology for manufacturing cement bricks and setting up of coolers in the plant for treating the water.

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