Bangalore, Jul 20: Karnataka, which is facing an acute power crisis following insufficient monsoon rains, has shown keen interest to sign a power purchase agreement with the power-surplus State Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said. Talking to newspersons after participating at the 'Founding Day' celebration of the State-owned Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) here, he said the State would seek 500 MW of power from Chhattisgarh.

Mr Yeddyurappa said initial talks were in progress and a formal agreement would be inked in the last week of the month. ''There is also a proposal to invest to set up a 2,000 MW capacity power plant in Chhattisgarh by the State Government'' he added. Earlier, participating at the KPCL function, the Chief Minister said the Government would make all efforts to get power from different sources.

Stating that power plays a crucial role in putting the economy on fast face of development, Mr Yeddyurappa expressed confidence that the situation would improve with the late spell of rain to burst in the coming days.

Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Energy Minister K S Eswarappa said the cabinet sub-committee on Power would meet in a day or two and decide about imposing load-shedding in the State.

UNI