Karnataka: Government Offices May Soon Get Prepaid Electricity Meters: K.J. George Says Cabinet Will Decide
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is considering the installation of prepaid electricity meters in government offices, and a final decision will be taken after discussion in the state cabinet, said Energy Minister K.J. George on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media at a committee hall in Vidhana Soudha, George said the move is part of broader reforms under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), which includes central assistance for infrastructure development and smart metering.
“The Centre provides 60% subsidy for strengthening energy infrastructure under RDSS, and also offers ₹900 per smart meter as subsidy. However, some have alleged that the state is charging more and have approached the High Court. Since the matter is sub judice, I won’t comment further,” the minister said.
Solar Pump Sets for Farmers Under KUSUM-B Scheme
Highlighting steps taken to support farmers, George said the KUSUM-B solar pump scheme has already been launched in Karnataka, with 30% of the cost borne by the Centre, 50% by the state, and 20% by beneficiaries. He also noted that the KUSUM-C scheme—particularly beneficial for farmers in dryland areas—has been another major boost for the agricultural sector.
Boost in Power Generation, Target Set for 2030
George revealed that since the current government took office, it has added 4,000 MW of electricity capacity, taking the state’s current capacity to 35,000 MW. “We aim to scale this up to 60,000 MW by 2030, and a roadmap is being developed to achieve this,” he said.
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