New Delhi (PTI): As the capital reeled under a severe power shortage, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday asked people to "change their mindset" and co-operate with the Delhi government in electricity conservation.

Dikshit said that several areas of the capital are experiencing power cuts due to overdrawing of power from the National Grid by many states.

"People's co-operation is very important for electricity conservation. But what is needed is the change in mindsets. In this, role of children is very important," the chief minister said at a function to award winners of BSES quiz competition here.

Dikshit emphasised on the role of children in educating society about the need of energy conservation and said awareness on such issues and power thefts should reach public.

"My government has always emphasised on making the basic infrastructures strong. Power shortage occur but only for short periods. We try to make sure that Delhiites do not suffer from any problem," she said.

Delhi Government recently sought the Centre's help to overcome the problem and asked the discoms to formulate long-term and short-term measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Power Minister A K Walia said Delhi government has always emphasised on electricity conservation, distribution and generation. "We have some plans for the capital to get rid of the power shortage and are working on it. And reducing power theft to 26 per cent is an achievement for us," he said.

"Electronic metres are sensitive and precautions should be taken to lessen fast metre readings. Systems are also being upgraded to get rid of breakdowns," Walia said.