The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised concerns over the state government’s potential move to privatize the power sector. Former Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol warned that allowing private companies like Tata Power to participate in electricity distribution could lead to farmer unrest. Karjol emphasized that farmers might face increased costs for repairing power infrastructure if private firms are given control.
Karjol criticized the profit-driven nature of private companies, highlighting the financial burden that could be imposed on farmers for maintenance services. He pointed out that under the previous BJP government, farmers faced significantly lower costs for essential power connections and installations. The current scenario, he claimed, has placed undue financial strain on the farming community, with costs soaring to Rs 2.5-3 lakh.
In addition to the power sector issue, Karjol also commented on an investigation in Dharmasthala conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). He stressed the significance of resolving the matter promptly, describing Dharmasthala as a revered pilgrimage site. Meanwhile, former Karnataka minister B. Sriramulu accused the Congress government of reneging on promised guarantee schemes, alleging that the government was moving to discontinue these initiatives under the guise of verification and revision.
Sriramulu criticized the government for introducing guarantee schemes without public demand, asserting that the Congress had initiated these programs for political advantage. He highlighted alleged flaws in the implementation of schemes like Gruha Laxmi payments, suggesting a lack of clarity and proper execution. The former minister called for accountability, stating that the government should apologize to the people of Karnataka for the perceived shortcomings.
