Bengaluru, Sept 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Karnataka is facing a severe drought situation and an emerging power crisis amid rising electricity demand, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Monday, warning that the shortage of water could have an impact on drinking water supply, agriculture, and power generation in the coming days.
Speaking in his native Kanakapura town, Shivakumar noted he had personally visited several drought-hit areas and that drought conditions had been reported at more than 200 locations. The government has already declared drought in 100 taluks, while the process is continuing in other areas.
"There is a procedure laid down by the Centre. We have to make announcements regarding drought according to the rules. No one should be in a hurry," he said.
Shivakumar said water sources had declined considerably this year, while crops had been damaged and farmers in several regions had been unable to undertake sowing. He warned that the situation could lead to shortages of drinking water and electricity in the future.
He also expressed concern over the state's growing power requirement. Last week, Karnataka faced an additional demand of around 19,000 MW, which the government managed with difficulty, he said.
The state was forced to purchase electricity during peak evening hours at rates of Rs 11, Rs 12 and Rs 13 per unit, Shivakumar said. While demand remained comparatively lower during the day, consumption increased sharply during the night.
To address the situation, he said he had directed the Power Minister to hold discussions with neighbouring states on the availability of electricity.
"If power has to come from outside, it will take some time," Shivakumar said, adding that the government was also considering increasing thermal power generation.
He said the government was exploring ways to augment coal-based power generation and noted that under the "One Nation, One Grid" system, electricity generated in any part of the country could be transmitted to Karnataka, though transmission and other costs would have to be borne.
"People cannot live without water and power. We will not worry about the cost," he said.
Shivakumar said Karnataka was also witnessing increased demand for land, water, and power from investors. He said several investors were coming forward seeking these resources and acknowledged that demand had increased this year.
The Chief Minister said the drought situation was also affecting the cost of living, with prices of essential commodities rising.
Referring to the impact on infrastructure projects, he said the supply of jelly stones, used for road works, from Tamil Nadu had been stopped, making it difficult to take up construction activities. He said the price of jelly stones had increased by around 40 per cent.
Appealing to the people to pray for the state along with their own well-being during the Gowri-Ganesha festival, Shivakumar said he hoped Karnataka would receive adequate rainfall this year, as it had during the previous three years.
He said the government had faced power crises in the past and that load shedding was not an option.
Shivakumar criticised the previous BJP government, alleging that adequate efforts had not been made to increase power generation and that private agencies had been encouraged instead.
He said the Siddaramaiah government had taken several initiatives in the power sector and that the present government was also considering additional measures to meet the growing demand.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar said the state Cabinet would hold its first meeting in the coastal region on September 18 in Mangaluru.
He said all legislators, ministers, and Lok Sabha members from the coastal region had given their suggestions and that the government had taken note of their concerns, particularly regarding preventing migration from the region.
"The resources existing there should bring about a change in the lives of the people. This is our thinking," he said, adding that new announcements would be made in this direction.
On the proposed special session of the state legislature, Shivakumar said the government had decided to convene the session on September 21, 22, and 23 to discuss the drought situation and the Kasturirangan report.
He said some BJP legislators had privately approached him seeking a special session on the issues.
"I had called a special session for drought and the Kasturirangan report. BJP MLAs have approached me privately and asked for a special session. I have arranged the special session from September 21 to 23. We are not seeing party politics in this matter," he said.
Source: IANS
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