The Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association, led by Hallikerehundi Bhagyaraj, met in Mysuru on Friday and has decided to urge the government to drop its move to privatise electricity distribution in the State.

After holding a meeting at the Jaladarshini Guest House in Mysuru, the farmers representing the Association met Sharanamma S. Jangin of the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) at the latter’s office and submitted a memorandum voicing concern over the proposed move to privatise electricity.

The memorandum said that the privatisation of a public utility like the Karnataka State Electricity Transmission Corporation (KPTCL) would cause irreparable harm to the agriculture and the farming community.

Free electricity for agriculture was introduced after a prolonged struggle during the tenure of former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa. “If the sector falls into the hands of private companies, there is a possibility that such support may be discontinued. The pressure to install smart meters could also adversely affect the agricultural sector,” Mr. Bhagyaraj warned.

Pointing out that the Tata Power Company Limited, a Mumbai-based power generation and distribution company, had sought electricity distribution rights in 15 districts of Karnataka, including Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, and Hassan, which come under CESC, the farmers’ body urged the government to ensure that KPTCL does not grant a distribution licence for these areas.

Claiming that electricity tariffs charged by the private company in the cities it already operates in are higher than the rates in Karnataka, Mr. Bhagyaraj sought to question the continuation of free power supply to irrigation pumpsets for agriculture and other free and subsidised electricity supply schemes in Karnataka.

“Who will be responsible for providing free electricity to agriculture? Who will ensure electricity supply for welfare schemes such as Gruha Jyothi and Bhagya Jyothi that benefit poor and socially disadvantaged households? Who will take responsibility for supplying quality electricity to remote villages even when it is not profitable?” the Association asked the government in its memorandum.

Electricity supply is a fundamental responsibility of the government. “If private companies take over this responsibility, they may impose their own terms and conditions, leading to inadequate power supply and the failure of agricultural activities,” he said while warning that farmers may be forced to abandon agriculture in such a situation.

The farmers claimed that the Tata Power Company has sought distribution licences in 15 districts of Karnataka, including Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Mysuru, Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, and Dharwad.

Contending that the assets of the electricity transmission corporation have been created using public funds, and many farmers have lost land for these projects, the farmers’ body urged the government not to privatise the electricity transmission and distribution sector. “Thousands of employees have served in the sector, and some have even lost their lives in the line of duty. Therefore, privatising such assets is inappropriate,” he said.