Linking Aadhaar with irrigation pumpsets is for documentation purpose only, says Minister

Energy Minister K.J. George clarifies linking Aadhaar with irrigation pumpsets for documentation purposes only, ensuring quality power supply.

Dismissing speculation over the State government’s intentions to link Aadhaar with irrigation pumpsets, Energy Minister K.J. George has clarified that the move is only for documentation purpose.

“Free electricity up to 10 HP is being supplied to all irrigation pumpsets. There is a small confusion about electricity required for each irrigation pumpset. There are instances where illegal irrigation pumpsets are getting free power supply,” he said.

“If we can link Aadhaar with the RR number of irrigation pumpsets, we can solve this problem and get a clear idea of which irrigation pumpset requires what amount of energy. That is why we are linking Aadhaar with the RR number of irrigation pumpsets,” he said.

“Linking Aadhaar with the RR number of irrigation pumpsets will also help us provide better quality power to farmers. It is for documentation purpose only. There is no ill-intention behind the move,” the Minister told mediapersons in Ballari, after a meeting of officials of the district administration, people’s representatives and officials of the Energy Department at the Zilla Panchayat Conference Hall on Thursday.

The Minister clarified that there will be no power cut for irrigation pumpsets of up to 10 HP even if they are being used for lifting water from river course without permission.

“Free power supply is for authorised irrigation pumpsets up to 10 HP. Some farmers lift water from river course without permission using pumpsets of more than 10 HP. Power supply will be discontinued for such pumpsets. We will not discontinue power supply to pumpsets up to 10 HP used for lifting water from river course even without permission. We will think of regularising them,” Mr. George said.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and development of farming communities in the State, Mr. George said that his department has managed to supply quality power for seven hours a day without load-shedding even during drought when electricity production was a challenge.