He disclosed this while briefing the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) at the deputy commissioner’s office here on Wednesday during the public hearing convened to discuss the objections about the revised multi-year tariff proposed by Cesc.

The four-hour long public hearing was chaired by KERC chairman M R Srinivas Murthy, members Vishwanath Hiremutt and K Srinivas Rao.

Continuing, Boregowda revealed that Rs 35 lakh was spent during the 10 days of Dasara festivities last year and also they had to procure power at a higher rate.

At the same time, he urged the people to switch of one bulb in their home whenever the lights in the palace is switched on as it would help reduce consumption of electricity. If CFLs or LED bulbs are used instead of incandescent bulbs, then we can further reduce the electricity usage, he added.

Progress

Informing the commission about the progress made by Cesc, Boregowda said 1.17 lakh houses have been identified, which are yet to receive power. Surveying using geographical information system has been taken up and co-ordinates of each house would be located using google maps.

Under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyuthikaran Yojana, electricity would be supplied to these houses, he added.

At the same, 2,440 houses in remote hadis have been identified and plans are being made as to what sort of alternate energy sources could be supplied to them. He said Rs 94 crore has been earmarked for this project.

Vacant posts

Until June, 7,794 posts have been approved by the government for Cesc and 5,250 have already been filled and the remaining 2,544 are vacant.

Bore Gowda also said the exchange programme of incandescent bulbs with CFLs was progressing in Mysore, Mandya and Hassan. Public have to give Rs 15 to purchase a CFL lamp and the option is avaialable for up to four incandescent bulbs.

Suresh Kumar Jain of Karnataka  Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) urged KERC to give judgements written in Kannada. He also called upon Cesc to make use of bulk text messaging facility or send information regarding power cuts to grahakara parishat or the association, so that they could inform all the industries.

RTI activist Sunitha Ranganath called upon Cesc to check electricity theft and charge more for hospitals that provide five-star treatment.