Ganga Kalyana scheme: Siddu sets 2-month deadline

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday expressed his dissatisfaction over 1,948 pending applications for electrification under the Ganga Kalyana scheme while instructing completion of the task within two months.

The instruction was given to senior officials of the Energy Department in the meeting of District Commissioners (DCs) and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) held at Vidhana Soudha Conference Hall in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Under the scheme, Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMs) are responsible for energizing small-scale farmers.

“ESCOMs should not cause undue delay in providing electricity connections. Arrears should not be kept pending for non-payment of fees. Do not make excuses that there are no transformers or poles,” Siddaramaiah told officials. The CM asked officials to carry out electrification and clear all applications in Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) and Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM). “There should be no undue delay in drilling borewells under Ganga Kalyan scheme,'' he said.