K'taka govt to take stern action against power theft: Minister

Bangalore, Jul 18 (UNI) Karnataka Government will not spare anybody, including legislators and ministers, in taking action if they were found guilty of power theft, Power minister K S Eshwarappa told Karantaka Legislative Council here today.

In a reply to Janata Dal(United) member M Nadagouda's allegation during question hour in the council the minister said the state government had no information about any minister or legislator involving in power theft.

''Government will not spare any individuals if they found guilty of power theft,'' he assured.

Earlier Congress member V S Ugrappa sought to know from the minister whether he would initiate any punitive action against any members of the Council of ministry. There was some information that some of the ministers in the present government were facing charges of power theft.

The minister also informed the house that state had over 17.21 lakh Irrigation Pumpsets and supply of free power would be provided for up to 10 HP which had electric meters installed.

''By announcing the supply of free power in the budget, BJP has kept its pre-election promise made to the farmers,'' he said.

He also clarified that the cost of installation of meters would have to be borne by the Electric supplying companies and farmers need not spend any money on it. The burden on state exchequer due to free power supply would be about Rs 875 crore per annum, he said.

The minister also said that due to shortfall in the rains all the sources of Hydal power generation units in the state had almost dried up and situation was getting serious.

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