New Delhi, May 23 (HS): Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal, reviewed Karnataka’s power sector in Bengaluru, accompanied by Shri Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Power, and Karnataka’s Energy Minister K. J. George, among other officials. The State Government presented the current status of power generation, transmission, and distribution, highlighting challenges like generation mix and Right of Way (RoW) issues. Manohar Lal commended Karnataka’s increasing renewable energy share and emphasized understanding ground-level issues to enhance power supply.

He urged the State to reduce power utility financial losses, implement cost-reflective tariffs, and ensure timely clearance of dues and subsidies. Additionally, he stressed the need for prepaid smart meters in all Government establishments by August 2025 and proposed a centralized payment mechanism for electricity dues.

Manohar Lal also called for the prompt rollout of smart metering in commercial and industrial sectors and the resolution of transmission RoW issues, alongside the adoption of a compensation mechanism from the Government of India. He assured continued central support for the power sector’s strengthening in Karnataka, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare and development of the State and its citizens.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar