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Having assumed charge as Karnataka's Energy Minister after the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition took over in May 2004, H.D. Revanna has managed to keep his wits about him as he strives to meet the ever-growing demand for power from industry and the domestic and agricultural sectors. While his gaze is certainly on the State's leading Electricity Supply Company, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM), there is little doubt as to where the Minister's heart lies - in providing quality power to farmers and their irrigation pumpsets, which account for 49 per cent of all the power consumed in the State. Revanna spoke to Ravi Sharma on the power situation in Karnataka and on BESCOM. Excerpts:
How do you rate the performance of BESCOM?
BESCOM is India's best power company, because the distribution losses are in single digits (in Bangalore), whereas in other major cities it is in double digits. During the past 30 months not even a single transformer has failed in Bangalore. Revenue collection in Bangalore is 98 per cent, which is the highest among all cities in India. Bangalore is growing fast for various reasons, such as industrialisation, business houses, residential layouts. To meet the demand, BESCOM has made concrete plans.
Such as...
For example, we have identified sites in and around Bangalore where we will be putting up 15 mini power stations. These will take care of our needs for the next 10 years. We will also have stations of various capacities according to the needs of the respective areas. For the next 10 years BESCOM wants to ensure 24-hour power supply and with this in mind we are contemplating the generation of additional electricity. Transmission and distribution (T&D) losses will also be brought down and we are going to buy additional power from other States and the national grid. Wires and transformers that have been in use for over 20 years are also being replaced. This will further improve the efficiency of the system.
From where do you plan to draw power?
Today in Karnataka, we are generating power from both the public and private sectors and buying power to the tune of over 4,000 MW. More than 60 per cent of this is to meet Bangalore's power demand. To meet the ever-growing demand for power we have made plans to draw more power and commission projects such as Bidadi, Varahi, Gundal, Alamatti, Bellary, Raichur and Nagarjuna. This plan will help us generate an additional 4,500 MWs of power. A total of Rs.13,500 crores is needed if we are to meet the demand for power in Karnataka.
Also, whereas earlier we had set up only five or 10 power substations every year, this government has taken a decision to put up 100 new stations during the coming year. In addition to this we are upgrading 100 existing power substations all over the State. These steps will take care of the State's power needs for the next 10 to 15 years.
The tariff for power supplied to the farmers has always created controversy. What do you plan to do in Karnataka?
There are 14 to 16 lakh irrigation pumpsets in Karnataka and as part of the concept of universal metering we are trying to meter all these sets. This is because we would like to account for all the power that has been consumed. During the past 10 months this government with the cooperation of farmers, has been able to legalise or meter 1.35 lakh pumpsets. Even while wanting to meter all pump sets, the government is keen to safeguard the interests of the farming community. We are collecting only Rs.10,000 for each pumpset from the farmers, the balance being subsidised by the government. This will cost us Rs.357.26 crores.
What about power to the economically weaker sections?
The Bhagya Jyothi and Kutira Jyothi schemes have benefited 18 lakh families in Karnataka. Under this scheme 18 units of power is given free, with the consumer paying only for usage over and above this. This scheme is not only taking care of the power requirements of poor families but also earning the government some revenue.
Any plan to increase the power tariff in the State?
There is no proposal for an upward revision of tariff. However, we are at present looking into a request from small and medium farmers who want a system wherein the tariff will be proportionate to the extent of their landholdings. In other words, small farmers will pay less and big farmers a little more for the same power that they consume. This will help the numerous small farmers in the State.
What initiatives are you formulating for the rural areas?
The Rural Load Management System (RLMS) that we are planning will help distribute power and reduce losses in the rural areas. Under this system we shall basically control power supply on an hourly basis. We plan to divide the existing consumers into two circuits, irrigation pumpsets and domestic/industrial, and we shall give 24-hour power supply to the latter. RLMS will enable us to reduce power losses at the service station and the power thus saved will be given to the consumers. We have already undertaken a pilot RLMS in Tavrekere and it has been a success. The power situation in the area has improved and customer satisfaction is high. Industry has also benefited substantially. We now plan to implement the system in other areas of the State.
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