With power shortage increasing in its intensity, the Central Discom has increased power cuts in the domestic and commercial sector in the GHMC area. From Tuesday, the utility will be cutting power formally for three hours every day, one-and-a-half hours each in the morning and evening from Tuesday. The power cut officially was one hour, but the power utility was resorting to unscheduled cuts to tide over the power shortage.
The state’s industrial sector, which has been facing 100 per cent blanket power cuts since Friday, appeared to get some minor relief with the Central Discom stating that industries on 11/33 KV feeders in the city can draw power as per the previous schedule from Tuesday. Apart from huge losses of roughly `1,000 crore per day, impacting over 10 lakh families dependent on the sector, the industries are losing faith in the state government to put things back in order.
Many industries, which had weathered the political turmoil and the power crises for over a year now, are contemplating migrating to other states. Even before the total blackout situation, the sector was only getting around eight hours of power, roughly 45 per cent of the requirement. “The confidence of the sector is totally shaken due to the officials’ attitude, said president of Fapcci, Devendra Surana.
No response from state over blanket power cuts: Fapcci chief
Highlighting the crisis in the industrial sector, president of Fapcci Devendra Surana, said: “For a 20 per cent power shortage in the state, the industrial sector is facing a blanket power cut and there has been no response or communication from the officials.” The Confederation of Indian Industries, AP has urged the state to take immediate action to restore power supply.
“CII has been in continuous dialogue with the CM, industry minister and senior officials in the government since the past one month and has appraised the gravity of the power situation in the state. CII also suggested various measures needed to be taken in the long term, midterm as well as short term to overcome the power shortage in the state. The government needs to ensure continuous supply of power to industries, particularly to small scale industries for single shifts, without any interruption,” said CII chairperson Suchitra Ella.
APTransco chairman and MD Hiralal Samariya refused to comment on the situation. The Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Andhra Pradesh also held a dharna on Sunday. “While most are suffering losses, even the ones which are running on breakeven cannot go on this way. With such blanket power cuts many families are affected,” said vice president of ALEAP P. Jyothi Rao.