Activists of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) staged a demonstration outside the headquarters of Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited (GESCOM) in Kalaburagi on Tuesday demanding that the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) circular on linking Aadhaar with irrigation pumpsets of below 10 HP within six months, be withdrawn.
Speaking at the agitation site, district president of KPRS Sharanabasappa Mamshetty condemned the KERC for issuing a warning to farmers that subsidy will be withheld if they fail to link Aadhaar with irrigation pumpsets.
“Agriculture is already in crisis. Farmers are in trouble with mounting debts. Such measures naturally increase their fears of new troubles and bring their confidence down. Land and water are basic needs of farmers. The State cannot escape from its duty of providing farmers with these two basic requirements,” Mr. Mamshetty said.
