Answering a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R. K. Singh claimed that the average rural power supply in Karnataka was 19.05 hours per day in the year 2022–23 whereas the average urban supply was 23.82 hours (in 11 kV feeders, which are 3-phase, three-wire power distribution lines).
However, a reality check in many parts of Karnataka by The Hindu shows a clear disparity between what the government claims and what the rural areas actually get.
“Between December and March, which is when irrigation is necessary, we do not get two hours of power supply properly. Even otherwise, like in case of light rain, we do not get power for two to four days. We have stopped depending on the Energy Department for maintenance. We take our labourers, and repair transformers and fuses,” says Dinesh A.T., a planter from Balele village in Kodagu district.
