Demand for electricity has surged due to drought in Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 13 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that the state is facing a shortage of power as electricity generation has come down due to drought, while the demand has shot up.
Siddaramaiah further said that the Congress government of the state is trying to address the situation by purchasing power from both inside and outside the state.
"The production of electricity has decreased and demand has increased. Last year, only 9000 to 10000 MW was being used by this time. But this year, the demand for electricity has gone up to 15000 to 16000 MW and hence the problem. A meeting has been called this afternoon to discuss the means to purchase electricity," the CM said while speaking to the media at Vidhansouda on Friday.
The CM also informed that an order was also issued yesterday stating that those who produce electricity should sell it to the government and should not sell it elsewhere.
Reacting to the BJP's allegation that preventive measures were not taken, the CM said that it is not necessary to answer to all the allegations made by the BJP.
"They only speak with a political intention. Do they know about the actual situation? There is a problem due to drought. However, electricity is being supplied. There is no complete load shedding as they say. Providing electricity for 7 hours in three phases may not be possible," he added. (ANI)