Raichur farmers protest power cuts as pump sets get just five hours instead of 12

Raichur: Farmers in drought-hit Raichur district have protested against what they allege are arbitrary power cuts, claiming that electricity supply for agricultural pump sets has been reduced from 12 hours to barely five hours a day.

All taluks in Raichur have been declared drought-affected, leaving farmers struggling to protect standing crops amid severe water scarcity. Many farmers have been depending on borewells and pump sets to irrigate paddy, vegetables and other crops and prevent them from drying up.

However, the sudden reduction in power supply has added to their difficulties. Farmers alleged that the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation-linked distribution system in the region has been providing electricity for only around five hours instead of the earlier 12-hour supply meant for agricultural pump sets.

With irrigation becoming difficult, farmers fear that crops could dry up and their already fragile financial condition could worsen. They said irregular power supply was making it impossible to plan irrigation, particularly when electricity is supplied at uncertain hours.

Angry over the issue, a group of farmers recently surrounded the local electricity supply company office in Raichur and staged a protest. They demanded restoration of the earlier 12-hour power supply for agricultural pump sets, arguing that uninterrupted electricity was essential to save crops during the drought.

Farmers also questioned the reduction in power supply in a district that hosts two major power generation facilities. They pointed out that Raichur contributes significantly to Karnataka’s electricity generation, while local communities have faced land acquisition and other problems associated with power projects.

“It is ironic that a district that generates electricity for the state is facing power shortages when its own farmers desperately need electricity to save crops,” farmers said during the protest.

They alleged that the reduced supply amounted to an additional burden on cultivators already struggling with drought. According to them, the issue was not merely the number of hours of electricity supplied, but also the uncertainty over when the supply would be available.

Farmers said electricity was sometimes supplied during the morning and at other times during the night, making irrigation difficult and forcing them to remain prepared around the clock to operate their pump sets.

The protesters warned that crops could suffer severe damage if the earlier schedule was not restored immediately. They demanded that authorities ensure a predictable and adequate supply of electricity throughout the drought period.

The farmers also warned of an intensified agitation if their demand was not addressed. They insisted that the government and power authorities should give priority to agricultural consumers in the drought-hit region.

Officials of the electricity supply company reportedly responded positively to the protest and assured the farmers that efforts would be made to provide electricity properly for agricultural needs.

However, farmers are waiting to know when the 12-hour supply will actually be restored. They said assurances alone would not be enough and that the power schedule must be implemented on the ground without further delay.

The dispute comes at a critical time for Raichur’s farming community, with drought conditions already threatening agricultural production. For farmers relying almost entirely on borewells and pump sets, reliable electricity has become as important as access to water.

With all taluks in the district classified as drought-affected, farmers have urged the authorities to ensure that power shortages do not turn an already severe agricultural crisis into a larger livelihood crisis.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Coovercolly Indresh

[email protected]