Karnataka Farmers Demand Immediate Payment of ₹25 Crore Power Dues to Resume Irrigation
Members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in Shivamogga on Monday, urging the State government to clear pending electricity dues and restore power supply to the Tunga Lift Irrigation Project.
The Tunga Lift Irrigation Project, which draws water from the Tunga river near Gajanur in Shivamogga taluk, supplies water to tanks at Haihole, Barehalla, and Gowdanakere. The project benefits approximately 7,500 acres of agricultural land across 28 villages. However, it has remained defunct due to disconnection of power supply for non-payment of electricity bills.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha president H.R. Basavarajappa stated that the outstanding electricity bill amounts to around ₹25.22 crore. He appealed to the government to clear the dues and ensure that water is lifted from the jackwell near Gajanur to revive the irrigation scheme.
Shivamogga Rural MLA Sharada Puryanaik participated in the protest and, along with other demonstrators, submitted a memorandum on the issue to Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti.
Earlier in June, elected representatives of Shivamogga district, including Member of Parliament B.Y. Raghavendra, had raised the matter. Given the deficit rainfall this year, farmers and their representatives are pressing the government to utilize lift irrigation projects to provide water for crops.
The protest highlights the ongoing challenge of irrigation infrastructure maintenance and the financial burden on state agencies. Addressing the pending power dues could restore water supply to thousands of farmers facing uncertain monsoons.
