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The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Farmers seek compensation for loss of land to power transmission lines
Representatives of the State Sugarcane Growers' Association met Energy Minister K J George on Wednesday seeking a fair compensation for the loss of cultivable land due to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) drawing power transmission cables and installation of towers. In a memorandum submitted to the Minister, association's oganisational secretary Attahalli Devaraj said high voltage 66/11 KV and 220 KV power transmission lines of KPTCL passed over agricultural lands, resulting in loss of cultivable area for many farmers. The transmission lines from KPTCL Mini Station in Gejjeyanavaddaragudi in Hunsur sub division passed through several villages, including Dharmapura, Karimuddanahalli, Aspatre Kaval, Basti Maranahalli, Hallada Koppalu, Udduru Kaval, Tarikal and other areas in Hunsur. These power transmission lines and towers built on the land have not been accompanied by any clear steps regarding compensation to the affected farmers, the association said. 'In response to an RTI application, the officials have claimed that land rates were fixed during a meeting held with farmers in March 2024. But, when asked which specific farmers or land owners attended the meeting, the officials said no farmers had agreed to be present at the meeting. This clearly indicates that the farmers were not part of the decision-making exercise and fair land rate had not been determined', Mr. Devaraj alleged, while contending that the authorities had held meetings on the issue without bringing it to the notice of the land-owning farmers or seeking their consent. The association sought to bring to the Minister's notice that the market rate of the land in the region was ₹2 lakh per gunta. Hence, a fair rate should be determined for the land and an appropriate compensation amount should be fixed. The farmers' body also contended that the transmission lines had already been electrified without the farmers' consent. The association pointed out that farmers in villages such as Koodanahalli, Devalapura, Marasettihalli, Joranahalli, Varuna and Vajamangala too had not been adequately compensated while drawing the 220 KV line from Kadakola to Vajamangala in Mysuru taluk. 'Their lands lie near layouts where land prices range between ₹6 lakh and ₹10 lakh per gunta, while the department quotes only ₹50,000 to ₹60,000', Mr. Devaraj said in the memorandum. Irrigation pumpsets The association urged the government to discontinue the policy of Aadhaar-linked registration and meter installation for irrigation pumpsets. The irrigation pumpsets of farmers should be regularised upon payment of ₹5,000, the association said. For lands that had been affected by power transmission lines, the government should provide free electricity connections for irrigation pumpsets, it added.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's first solar-powered, second-life battery integrated EV charging station is in Bengaluru
The country's first solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station integrated with second-life battery storage was launched at the BESCOM EV Hub Charging Station here on Tuesday. The pilot project, Renewable Energy to Electric Vehicle (RE2EV), which marks a major milestone in clean energy and green transport infrastructure , was inaugurated by Karnataka's Energy Minister K J George. George noted that the integration of solar energy with second-life batteries ensures sustainable, grid-independent operation and improved charging access in a high-demand transit zone. According to a press release issued by Delta Electronics India , supplier of the nine DC fast chargers for RE2EV, a 45 kWp rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system feeds into a 100 kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) made up of repurposed batteries. These batteries, added the press release, although can no longer be used in vehicles, retain enough capacity to store and discharge energy efficiently. The hub, situated near the airport, is capable of charging up to 23 vehicles simultaneously. The project has been developed under the Green Urban Mobility Innovation Living Lab and supported by GIZ India, BESCOM, and DULT, as part of the SUM-ACA ( Sustainable Urban Mobility - Air Quality, Climate Action, Accessibility) initiative, stated the press release. Karnataka has over 5,880 EV charging stations across the state -- 4,462 of which are in Bengaluru Urban district -- and 140 new chargers added this year alone, added the release. Information on the RE2EV hub, like location, availability, and rates, can be accessed via BESCOM's "EV Mitra" app.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Hope floats as cabinet to decide on new beneficiaries for Gruha Jyothi scheme
Bengaluru: After refusing to revise eligibility criteria under the Gruha Jyothi scheme and reassess free units of power for newly built houses, energy minister KJ George made a U-turn, saying he would present the issue before the cabinet and find a feasible solution. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During the inauguration of an EV charging facility near Kempegowda International Airport on Monday, George suggested that new beneficiaries could be included. This comes barely a week after the minister, during a visit to Ramanagara last week, ruled out revising the eligibility criteria. The scheme, which provides 200 units of free power for all households, completes two years this Aug. Pressure is now mounting on the govt to include beneficiaries who were initially left out of the scheme — one of the govt's five flagship guarantees — and to reassess free units for newly built houses. While rolling out the scheme in 2024, the energy department had assessed consumption of households, based on patterns over a year (2023). Based on this assessment, households consuming less than 200 units per month were covered under the scheme, while those consuming more than that threshold were left out. But the govt had assured citizens who were left out that they could avail benefits a year later — provided they reduce consumption and bring it under the 200-unit ceiling. Similarly, newly built houses which had no history of consumption over the previous year were allowed 53 free units — the state average consumption per month — plus an additional 10% of free power. George had again promised these residents that the govt would assess their monthly average consumption after a year and revise the number of free units. However, with the scheme set to complete two years, there is no clarity yet on rules for new beneficiaries or a decision on reassessing free units. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Radha G, a consumer from Banashankari said, "When the scheme was launched, we were consuming more than 200 units a month. We reduced consumption to less than 200 units over the past year. But when we tried to register for the scheme, Bescom engineers told us that we are ineligible. The govt must include beneficiaries afresh if their consumption is less than 200 units." Krishnakumar, who moved into a newly built house on Hesaraghatta Main Road a year ago, was allowed only 58 units of free power. "Although we have been using less than 200 units over the past year, we are only eligible for 58 free units and are being charged for the other 50 units. Had the govt reassessed usage, we would have been eligible for 110 to 120 free units. It's disappointing," he said. However, minister George told TOI that while the govt is aware of these grouses, his department alone cannot decide on a solution. "The state cabinet must take a call on this after a detailed discussion. We will take this proposal to cabinet in a week or two," George said.
News18
a day ago
- Automotive
- News18
Bengaluru Launches Solar EV Hub With 23 Charging Points And Battery Reuse Tech
Last Updated: The construction of an EV charging hub near the airport has been done keeping in mind the cab drivers and the public who use EVs to travel between the airport and the city. A solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station was unveiled near the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on June 2. Touted as the first of its kind, the solar energy is stored in old car batteries at this EV charging station. The construction of an EV charging hub near the airport has been specifically done keeping in mind thousands of cab drivers and the general public who use EVs to travel between the airport and the city. Energy Minister KJ George inaugurated the facility in the presence of Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, BESCOM Managing Director Dr N Shivashankar, B.A.S., and other officials. Speaking at the event, the energy minister said that this is the first EV station in India to be powered by second-life batteries. 'This large-scale EV charging hub, developed through a partnership between Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), can charge 23 vehicles simultaneously. At this station, solar energy is stored in old car batteries. Solar power generated during the day is stored using this battery system and supplied to electric vehicles around the clock," he explained. The energy minister added that the Karnataka government is fully committed to supporting the growing demand for Electric vehicles in the state and expanding charging stations and related infrastructure. 'Karnataka's EV policy further strengthens this commitment. The newly inaugurated EV charging station will greatly benefit cab drivers and the general public using electric vehicles," he said. The charging hub includes a 45-kilowatt solar power system and 100 KWH second-life battery storage capacity. Of the 23 charging points, 18 have fast-charging points and five have slow chargers. Managing Director of Bescom, N. Shivashankar, claimed that this EV station is the first in the country to provide 24/7 EV charging facilities. Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda said, 'It's a matter of pride that a new EV charging station has come up near Bengaluru airport, benefiting cab drivers and EV users. With around 10,000 cabs operating daily—many of them electric—this facility shows Karnataka's continued leadership in EV initiatives," reported Money Control. As per data from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Union Ministry of Power, Karnataka is the first Indian state to introduce an EV policy in 2017. Currently, it is at the forefront of EV infrastructure in the country, with a total of 5,880 charging stations across the state. Of these, around 4,462 EV charging stations are located in the Bengaluru urban district. Karnataka is followed by Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Karnataka to launch Kusum-C solar scheme on June 11
BENGALURU: The state government is taking steps to increase solar power generation, and will inaugurate the implementation of Kusum-C scheme at Gauribidanur in Chikkaballapur on June 11. The Kusum-C is a component of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme. It enables solarising existing grid-connected agricultural pumps, and aims to reduce farmers' reliance on electricity and generate additional income through selling excess solar power to power distribution companies. It supports both individual pump-level solarisation and feeder-level solarisation, where a single solar power plant powers multiple pumps. Admitting to hiccups in procuring private land to instal solar panels, Energy Minister KJ George said wherever government land is available, panels are being installed. All deputy commissioners have been directed to find land and start work. Panchayats will also be able to use the land available for utility works, he added.
