Show us cheaper power and we will buy there: DKS to BSY

In a retort to State BJP President B S Yedyurappa's allegations that Karnataka has purchased power for a higher price per unit, Energy Minister D K Shiva Kumar has challenged the former to show him where if the allegations is true.

Yedyurappa had alleged that the state was buying power at a very high price when it was available for as low as Rs 2.50 per unit.

"If power is really available at that low a price, then we are willing to cancel the current contracts with other people and buy power only with the new supplier," he challenged his critics. " If such is the case, we are willing to sign the purchase deal with the contractor the day Yediyurappa wants us to and Ananth Kumar can head the power purchase committee, if he wishes," Shiva Kumar said.

The price had been fixed at a cost of Rs 5.08 per unit   by the State Power Purchase Committee the minister said adding that the Ballari Thermal Plant was facing a coal shortage of 27% and Raichur Thermal Power Station 48%.