Belgaum: Minister for Public Works and Energy H.D. Revanna has hit out at his father H.D. Deve Gowda's rivals, saying that those who were engaged in pick-pocketing were now running educational institutions.

He was talking to presspersons here on Monday.

On Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar's allegation that Mr. Gowda's family members were engaged in illegal mining activities, Mr. Revanna said the Government had ordered a judicial inquiry into mining activities. Instead of making baseless charges, the Opposition should submit evidence to the inquiry commission, he said.

The Congress was under the illusion of growing stronger in the State and in a hurry to stage a comeback. It was making allegations against the Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party Government with the objective of gaining political mileage.

Power generation

Mr. Revanna said that steps were being taken to minimise the demand-supply gap in electricity supply. As much as 4,000 MW would be added to the power grid in a year, mainly through thermal power generation. Two more units would be installed at Raichur Thermal Power Station. Nearly 1,006 MWs would be generated from non-conventional sources such as wind energy, he said.

The Government had decided to spend Rs. 1,750 crore towards upgradation of power supply system in State. It also proposed to spend Rs. 900 crore to improve infrastructure facilities and modernise electricity supply mechanism.

Disclosing a plan to improve the infrastructure for electricity supply in Belgaum district in 10-15 years, Mr. Revanna said the Government planned to invest about Rs. 500 crore to install more power stations in a phased manner.

The major works to be taken up would include installation of 4 units of 220 kV station; 20 units of 110 kV station; and 30 units of 33 kV station, he said.

This year, tenders would be floated for 26 works, including drawing of electricity lines within two months from now, he said.

The Government had submitted a proposal to to the Finance department on improving the Belgaum-Jamboti-Chorla Road linking Goa. It had been planned to improve the road at the cost of Rs. 65 crore, he added.

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