Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday firmly stated that the state government is opposed to the privatisation of power distribution. He made the remarks during a press conference in Bengaluru, emphasising that the government will ensure affordable electricity for all citizens.
Government's Stance on Power Sector
Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, said the government is committed to strengthening the state's power distribution companies (ESCOMs) rather than handing them over to private players. "We are clear that privatisation of power distribution is not in the interest of the common man. Our government will not allow it," he asserted.
The Deputy CM highlighted that the government has already taken steps to improve the financial health of ESCOMs through better management and reduction of transmission losses. He added that the state is exploring renewable energy sources to meet growing demand.
New Grievance Redressal Department
In a separate development, the state government has appointed senior IAS officer Harsh Gupta as the secretary of the newly created citizen's grievance redressal department, 'Praja Seve'. The department aims to streamline public complaints and ensure timely resolution.
"Praja Seve will act as a single-window mechanism for citizens to register their grievances related to government services. Harsh Gupta's experience will be valuable in making this initiative successful," Shivakumar said.
Political Reactions
The opposition BJP criticised the government's decision, accusing it of protecting inefficiency in state-run utilities. However, Shivakumar dismissed the criticism, stating that the government's focus is on service delivery, not profit.
The announcement comes amid ongoing debates about power sector reforms in the country. Several states have considered privatisation to improve efficiency, but Karnataka has chosen a different path.
