Ranchi, Dec 19 (IANS): Jharkhand Power Minister Rajendra Singh informed the state assembly Thursday that electrification work in some districts had been affected because of the threat of Maoist violence.

In response to a question, the minister said: "The company involved in rural electrification in Latehar, Daltanganj and Garwah stopped electrification work due to Maoist problem."

"We are looking into the issue and trying to solve the problem and ensure electrification work is completed," he said.

The Jharkhand government had earlier set the target of having all 32,000 villages in the state electrified by next year.

The issue of handing over the responsibility for power supply in Ranchi and Jamshedpur to private players was also raised in the state assembly.

Independent legislator Bandhu Tirkey, raising the issue during question hour said, "Private companies were handed over power supply work in a wrong way."

Replying to this, the minister said: "The chief secretary will look into the issue... Any decision regarding handing over power supply to private companies will be taken based on the report of the chief secretary."