As many as 579 persons, including 54 of electricity department, have been electrocuted to death during the last five years in the State, according to data available from the OPTCl and various power distribution companies.
Energy Minister Prafulla Mallick informed this in the State Assembly in response to a question of Congress MlA Tara Prasad Bahinipati on Friday.
However, the Minister said the allegation that all deaths occurred due to weak poles and wires is not correct at all. Power distribution companies are changing poles and wires in phases. Various prorgammes have been undertaken for safety of common people, he said.