Bengaluru : In a significant development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the backlog of 1948 pending applications for electrification under the Ganga Kalyana scheme. He has issued a clear and unequivocal directive to complete all these applications within a strict two-month timeframe.
This decisive action was taken during a high-level meeting held at the Vidhansouda Conference Hall, attended by senior officials from the Energy Department, District Commissioners, and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers. The Chief Minister emphasized that the state's power distribution companies (Escoms) must not cause any undue delays in providing electricity connections to the applicants and must swiftly address any arrears without hesitation.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah left no room for excuses, instructing Energy Department officials not to cite shortages of transformers or poles as reasons for any delays. He called for a proactive campaign to expedite electrification work, particularly focusing on clearing the pending applications in JESCOM and HESCOM.
Furthermore, he sternly cautioned against any procrastination, stating that delays in such matters are considered a criminal offense. To ensure accountability, the Chief Minister personally inquired about the number of pending applications for power substations and land for transformer lines. In response to what he perceived as an inadequate response from an officer, he questioned, "What will you do keeping those applications in your pocket?" He urged immediate attention to all pending applications.
This bold move by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah underscores the government's commitment to efficient service delivery and the electrification of rural areas under the Ganga Kalyana scheme. It sets the stage for a rapid and transformative improvement in electricity access for thousands of households across the state.