CM hints at power tariff hike

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JUNE 9. An upward revision of power tariff is inevitable, according to broad hints thrown at a press conference here today by the Chief Minister, Mr. S. M. Krishna.

Asked if the upward revision was inevitable since there was no revision in the last two years, Mr. Krishna said the Government had to take some hard decisions to reform the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) which was in bad financial health. The reforms were possible only through mobilisation of resources.

Mr. Krishna, however, pointed out that increasing power rates was not in the hands of the Government with the coming into being of the Karnataka Power Regulation Commission. The State can only bring to the notice of the commission the ground realities.

In reply to a question, Mr. Krishna said the proposals to be made by the KPTCL to the KPRC need not go through the Government. It was a matter between the two authorities.

Drinking water scheme

Mr. Krishna said the Mayor of Hubli, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Mr. Jagadish Shettar, who hails from Hubli and others had met him in a delegation in connection with water supply schemes for Hubli-Dharwad. The delegation was asked to send a project taking into account the needs of the growing city for the next 10 to 15 years.

Reacting to a question on certain views critical of the policy of globalisation by some ministers, Mr. Krishna said there was nothing like blanket ban on the ministers getting into a debate on the desirability of reforms. He dismissed the controversy saying one need not take too much of an alarmistic view about any view expressed in good faith.

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Section  : Southern States
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