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Karnataka Secures Coal Reserves to Ensure Uninterrupted Power Supply

Karnataka ramps up coal stock for thermal power plants to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

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Karnataka Secures Coal Reserves to Ensure Uninterrupted Power Supply
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The Karnataka state government is taking decisive measures to ensure that its thermal power plants run at full capacity, minimizing the risk of power cuts. As of May 13, the state-run thermal power stations had a substantial stockpile of 851,275 tonnes of coal. According to Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) officials, this amount is sufficient to meet the state’s energy demands for the next 15-18 days. Additionally, the Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), managed by the Adani Group, has 200,813 tonnes of coal in reserve.

Current Coal and Power Status

“We are in a comfortable situation,” said an unnamed official from the energy department. The state is also receiving imported coal, which is blended with coal sourced from other Indian mines. A total of 28 coal rakes are expected to arrive in the coming days, ensuring continuous power generation. The government’s primary focus is on thermal power at this moment to prevent any power outages. Renewable energy sources, while beneficial, are not entirely reliable due to their variability.

Renewable Energy Challenges

The state is currently generating 967MW of solar energy and 610MW of wind energy. Together with mini-hydro and biomass, the total power generated from non-conventional sources is 1,718MW. However, these sources are not always consistent. “During cloud cover, like now, solar generation can drop to zero in some areas. Wind energy is also unpredictable,” the official explained. Consequently, facilities like airports that rely on solar power during the day require an equal or greater amount of thermal power post-sunset. Hydro power generation is also limited due to the ongoing drought, contributing only 790MW.

Thermal Power: The Reliable Backbone

Thermal power remains the backbone of Karnataka’s energy strategy, providing 2,056MW from state-run stations in Raichur, Ballari, and Yeramarus. An additional 888MW is generated from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) operating thermal plants. As of May 17, the total power generation from state sources stands at 3,825MW.

Balancing Sustainability and Reliability

Despite the need to reduce coal-based power generation to meet net zero emission targets and adhere to the Paris Agreement, current circumstances necessitate reliance on thermal power. “At moments like these, there is no option but to use thermal power. It is the only reliable backup source that can maintain grid stability,” the official emphasized. Progress in energy storage has been slow, making it challenging to depend solely on renewable sources.

Future Prospects and Energy Strategies

The state government is actively working on balancing demand and supply to ensure a stable power grid. While long-term goals focus on increasing renewable energy capacity and improving storage solutions, immediate needs are met through robust thermal power infrastructure.

Conclusion

Karnataka’s proactive approach to managing its energy resources highlights the importance of coal in maintaining power stability. By ensuring substantial coal reserves and blending with imported coal, the state is well-prepared to handle any potential power shortages. As renewable energy technologies advance and storage solutions improve, the reliance on coal will gradually decrease, aligning with global sustainability goals.

For now, Karnataka continues to prioritize reliable power supply through a combination of thermal and renewable energy sources, demonstrating a balanced approach to meeting both immediate needs and future objectives.

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Karnataka

Karnataka Bandh Sparks Tension: A Human Story of Language, Protest, and Global Echoes

Today, March 22, 2025, Karnataka woke up to a wave of emotion and unrest as pro-Kannada groups called for a 12-hour statewide bandh. This wasn’t just another protest—it was a cry from the heart, sparked by an alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi last month. The conductor’s crime? Not speaking Marathi. For many […]

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Karnataka Bandh Sparks Tension: A Human Story of Language, Protest, and Global Echoes

Today, March 22, 2025, Karnataka woke up to a wave of emotion and unrest as pro-Kannada groups called for a 12-hour statewide bandh. This wasn’t just another protest—it was a cry from the heart, sparked by an alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi last month. The conductor’s crime? Not speaking Marathi. For many Kannadigas, this incident struck a deep chord, igniting a fierce defense of their language and identity.

How Karnataka Bandh Effect the Bengaluru City

The streets of Bengaluru and beyond buzzed with tension as security tightened across the state. Protesters, led by voices like Vatal Nagaraj of Kannada Okkuta, rallied for justice, expecting widespread support. Yet, not everyone joined the cause—big names like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike stayed on the sidelines, leaving some to wonder how united this movement truly was. For the average person—whether a shopkeeper closing up early or a commuter bracing for delays—it was a day of disruption, frustration, and quiet reflection on what it means to belong.

Meanwhile, the world kept spinning with its own dramas. In the U.S., Elon Musk stepped into the Pentagon, greeted as a “patriot” by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Their meeting hinted at big plans, though the details stayed under wraps—classic Musk mystery. Across the globe, Donald Trump’s latest AI-generated vision of Gaza, complete with skyscrapers and a golden statue of himself, raised eyebrows and stirred debate. Was it a bold dream or a wild fantasy? Closer to home, PM Narendra Modi’s name floated in the air—not tied to the bandh, but as a steady presence in India’s ever-shifting political landscape.

And then there were the wars—Gaza and Israel, Ukraine and Russia—distant but heavy, their echoes felt even in Karnataka’s quiet corners. At Heathrow Airport, travelers shuffled through another day, blissfully unaware of the ripples connecting their journey to these global threads.

Back in Karnataka, the bandh wasn’t just about a single incident. It was about pride, about language as a lifeline, and about people standing up for what they call home. As the day unfolded, it left behind stories—of anger, resilience, and the messy, beautiful humanity that ties us all together.

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Karnataka

Karnataka Assembly Approves 4% Muslim Quota in Contracts Amid Heated Protests

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Karnataka Assembly Approves 4% Muslim Quota in Contracts Amid Heated Protests
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Bengaluru In a bustling session at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, a significant decision unfolded on Friday that stirred both support and uproar. The assembly passed a bill granting a 4% reservation for Muslim contractors in state government projects, a move aimed at leveling the playing field for this community. This wasn’t just another day at the office—emotions ran high as eighteen BJP MLAs found themselves suspended for six months after passionately protesting the decision, accusing it of crossing ethical lines and disrespecting the Speaker, U T Khader.

The drama peaked on the final day of the budget session, with opposition BJP members voicing their frustration over what they saw as an unfair allocation. They didn’t hold back—storming the well of the House, tearing up copies of the bill, and tossing them toward the Speaker’s chair. It was a chaotic scene, one that underscored the deep divide over this policy. The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2025, as it’s officially called, doesn’t just stop at reservations—it also bumps up the contract size limit from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore, a change that’s set to reshape how public contracts are awarded across the state.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stood firm, explaining that this quota is about giving Muslim contractors a fair shot at opportunities they’ve long been sidelined from. Meanwhile, the BJP fired back, labeling it as “contract jihad” and vowing to take the fight to court. They argue it’s a step too far, infringing on the rights of other groups like OBCs, SCs, and STs who already benefit from existing quotas—24.1% for SC/ST contractors alone.

The bill’s passage wasn’t without its share of fireworks. Beyond the protests, it’s part of a broader push by the Congress-led government to address unemployment and boost participation in public works. For the people of Karnataka, this decision hits close to home—whether it’s seen as a stride toward equality or a spark for further tension, it’s a story that’s got everyone talking.

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Karnataka

Karnataka Assembly Chaos 2025: BJP MLAs Protest Muslim Quota Bill Amid Honey Trap Scandal

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly turned into a battleground on Friday, March 21, 2025, when a routine finance bill vote spiraled into pandemonium. BJP lawmakers, convinced they were facing a controversial bill granting a 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts, erupted in protest. In a fiery scene, they ripped up what they thought were copies […]

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Karnataka Assembly Chaos 2025: BJP MLAs Protest Muslim Quota Bill Amid Honey Trap Scandal
Image for just representational purposes only

Things got wild in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on March 21, 2025, when a simple finance bill turned into a full-blown mess. BJP lawmakers were dead sure it was actually a sneaky move to push through a 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts—a proposal they’ve been fuming about. So, in a fit of frustration, they grabbed what they thought were copies of this quota bill, ripped them to shreds, and flung them right at the Assembly Speaker. You can imagine the room buzzing with tension after that!

But the chaos didn’t end there. Just when you’d think it couldn’t get crazier, whispers of a honey trap scandal started swirling around, making the whole scene feel like something out of a political drama. BJP MLA Bharath Shetty jumped in to explain their side to India Today, saying, “We were sure the Chief Minister was ramming through that Muslim quota thing. The Congress MLAs didn’t take it lying down either—they started tearing up papers and tossing books at us. Total madness, but we didn’t hurt anyone.” It was like a shouting match with props!

Now, here’s the kicker: the Speaker’s Office later clarified it was just a finance bill all along—the Muslim reservation idea is still sitting on the table, not passed yet. Under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Congress folks say this kind of reservation would lift up minorities and level the playing field. The BJP, though? They’re calling it “appeasement nonsense” and promising a courtroom showdown over it. Oh, and that honey trap business? It’s only stirring the pot more, with the opposition yelling for answers while the government tries to keep a lid on things.

This Karnataka Assembly Chaos 2025 is a real snapshot of how divided things are down there right now. Between the bill mix-up and the scandal rumors, it’s hard to see any real work getting done. Bengaluru’s political scene is practically on fire, and both sides are digging in their heels. The rest of us? We’re just waiting to see how this rollercoaster plays out—stay tuned for the next twist!

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