No electricity to even steal: minister

No electricity to even steal: minister
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: There is little hope in the New Year for the power-starved citizens if this is what Karnataka energy minister himself has to say: “There’s no power to even steal. From where do we get power?”
The only assurance a seemingly helpless K S Eshwarappa has for the people is that the government is trying its best to get more power. With examinations around the corner, students will have a tough time ahead.
The minister told reporters here on Saturday he would discuss with chief minister B S Yeddyurappa the situation and explore ways to purchase power so that the shortfall could be met. The present demand for power is 120 million units; the shortage is 1,970 MW.
The minister attributed the crisis to a shortfall in the supply of power from the central pool, now only 900 MW. He said the Raichur Thermal Power Station is sick — in the past, he had referred to it as ‘a bedecked old woman’ — while the Bellary Thermal Power Station is problem-ridden.
He said land acquisition for power plants at Chhattisgarh and Kudgi has already begun, and the government would release Rs 100 crore for these projects. The government is not in favour of the Mekedatu project in the Cauvery basin as it involves 10,000 hectares of forest land, but it’s eager to complete the Gundya and Tadadi power plants.
Referring to nuclear power, he said the state is interested in it. “We have discussed this with the Centre. They are thinking of setting up Kaiga II. Inspection teams are yet to arrive.”