Despite clear orders from the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission, the state discoms are not adhering to the continuous 60 per cent power supply rule recently mandated. This has resulted in the industrial sector being pushed further into a state of uncertainty. Unable to manage a continuous 60 per cent supply to the sector, the discoms are now resorting to three-day power holidays, along with peak hour cuts and unscheduled cuts.
The industrial sector has been reeling under a major power crisis for over a year now. Earlier it was allowed 60 per cent continuous power supply with three to five per cent penalties for overdrawing. However, after two days of the order, most industries are being given three-day power holidays without the option to choose between a three-day power holiday and 60 per cent continuous supply.
“There is no clarity on the issue. Despite orders by the regulatory commission to give industries a choice between the two options of 60 per cent continuous supply and three days’ power holiday, the Central discom is overlooking requests from industries who want continuous supply. Since the discom is not adhering to the order nor agreeing to requests for continuous supply, there is no official word from the central discom,” said Fapcci president, Devendra Surana.