Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 20: State energy minister, D K Shivakumar, has tendered apology to the people of Karnataka for the power cuts that had twice interrupted the assembly session when the chief minister was presenting the annual budget.

Relating to the incident, two PWD officials have been suspended pending inquiry. Shivakumar confessed that his department has faced loss of face because of this fiasco.

Speaking to media persons on Saturday March 19, he said that this incident was shameful for his department. At the same time, he said that the officials concerned will not have any option but to own responsibility for the lapse and face action.

"I apologise to the people of the state and the nation," he said.

Speaking to reporters at a Congress programme in Bengaluru, DKS said, "The incident has really embarrassed me. I have directed the officials of my department to conduct an enquiry. I do not have any report in writing. I have received information only over the phone. Action could be taken only after the officers give a report in writing."

The minister said that as per information received by him over phone, welding work was in progress in the third floor of the building, when sparks were flyng. He said that someone, noticing the sparks, had switched off the power supply. He added that the officials have been asked to conduct detailed inquiry and submit report, duly fixing responsibility for the lapse.

With DHNS Inputs