Government to conduct energy audit Free power will cost the exchequer Rs. 825 crore Hydel power generation expected to be bleak K.S. Eshwarappa Bangalore: A day after Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa announced free power for irrigation pumpsets up to 10 HP, Minister for Energy K.S. Eshwarappa has clarified that farmers in the income tax bracket will not be eligible for the free supply even though they had installed pumpsets with a capacity of less than 10 HP. The Minister was replying to questions by M.P. Nadagouda of the Janata Dal (United) and H.C. Neeravari of Janata Dal (Secular) in the Legislative Council on Friday. Mr. Eshwarappa said that the Government would conduct an energy audit in the irrigation sector by fixing meters for all irrigation pump sets free of cost for accessing the overall power consumption for agricultural purposes across the State soon. He clarified that the purpose of fixing meters to irrigation pump sets was only to measure the power consumption level and prevent the alleged large-scale power theft by unscrupulous persons for non-agricultural purposes in the name of irrigation. Seeking the cooperation of farmers in the Government's effort to conduct energy auditing, Mr. Eshwarappa assured that the Government would never impose any tariff on the consumers. He said that its commitment to supply free power for 17.21 lakh farmers using up to 10 HP irrigation pump sets would cause an estimated additional burden of Rs. 825 crore on the exchequer. The authentic scenario of energy in demand and quantum of consumption in the irrigation sector would emerge only after the proposed auditing. Energy auditing had become an imperative one in the larger interest of farmers as the State had to prepare itself for the future requirements, he explained. He said hydel power generation was expected to be bleak owing to inadequate rain and the reservoir levels at Linganamakki and Shivanasamudram touching a low. The Government was only hoping that situation would improve with good rains as the entire State had also been facing problems in drinking water supply. Urging the Opposition to extend their support for the proposed energy audit, Minister for Medical Education Ramachandra Gowda said that it had become impossible to obtain a clear account for the power supplied for irrigation purposes. Besides there were allegations and complaints that some influential persons had been exploiting the Government's irrigation schemes for industrial and other purposes, he said. Some Opposition members, including V.S. Ugrappa, asked whether the Government would initiate legal action against those MLAs and Ministers who were allegedly deceiving the Government by using irrigation pumpsets for other purposes. Mr. Eshwarappa said that the Government would not hesitate to take legal course against any offender irrespective of social or political stature. The Opposition welcomed the Government's decision by thumping the desk.