Total electrification in Kerala by 2012: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, July 12: Kerala Electricity Minister A K Balan today informed the state assembly that the Government was expecting to complete the ''total electrification process'' of the state by 2012.

In a written reply to Mr Raju Abraham and others, he said the Government was giving more thrust to rural electrification.

Mr Balan said a total of 1,95,044 applicants were still in the waiting list for getting electricity connection till May 31.

According to the latest data available, the KSEB had to receive Rs 1,670.91 crore, including Rs 838.17 crore from PSUs and Rs 66.30 crore from private consumers as dues towards electricity board till March 31.

During the previous government, the dues were Rs 1,477.36 crore, he added.

The Minister stated that the Government also noted the power theft during the night and a total of 2,635 cases had been registered in this regard.

UNI