BANGALORE: Minister for Energy and Public Works H.D. Revanna on Friday told the Legislative Assembly that the Government would take steps to ensure power supply for at least 10 hours a day in rural areas for pumping drinking water from borewells and for the convenience of students preparing for degree examinations.

Replying to questions raised by P.G.R. Sindhia (Janata Dal-S), Krishna Byre Gowda and Siddaramaiah (Congress) during the debate on drought situation, Mr. Revanna said loadshedding was enforced in urban and rural areas following shortage of power generation. The Government had requested the Centre to allocate an additional 500 MW of power to the State to tide over the shortage. But the Centre rejected the State's request, he said. Mr. Revanna said he would instruct Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) and the five distribution companies to ensure at least 10 hours of power supply in rural areas for pumping water from borewells.

Unlike the previous Government, the Janata Dal (S)-BJP coalition had taken steps to eliminate transmission and distribution loss and increase generation of power. The State would add 2000 MW of power in the next 18 months by spending Rs. 4,000 crore. As many as 447 power stations would be upgraded by 2008, he said.

He said KPTCL and Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. had won the Prime Minister's award for their best performance in the power sector. KPCL won the prize in three consecutive years,.

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