Karnataka farmer group plans indefinite hunger strike over power cuts

The Karnataka Rajya Shoshitara Seva Samiti, a collective representing exploited sections of society, has escalated its campaign against irregular power supply by announcing plans for a sit-in protest outside the Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company (Gescom) office in Yadgir district. The indefinite hunger strike, scheduled to commence on October 26, represents the group's latest attempt to secure adequate electricity for agricultural operations in the region. The move underscores mounting frustration among farming communities over frequent and extended power cuts that have disrupted irrigation schedules and threatened crop productivity.

The group's primary demand is for a guaranteed seven hours of daily uninterrupted power supply specifically dedicated to agricultural pump sets. This threshold reflects the minimum requirement for effective irrigation in the district, where farmers rely heavily on pump-based water extraction from wells and bore wells for cultivation. The irregular supply pattern has forced many farmers to invest in expensive diesel generators as backup power sources, significantly increasing operational costs.

Gescom's inconsistent power distribution has emerged as a persistent challenge for the state's agricultural sector. Power cuts during critical irrigation seasons have compelled farmers to operate pumps during unfavorable hours, disrupting planned cultivation cycles and straining their financial resources. The Samiti's action represents a broader wave of protests across southern India where agricultural communities are demanding improved infrastructure and reliable utilities to sustain their livelihoods.