Power cuts irk industrialists in Punjab…

• Despite a marked dip in temperature, industrial sector of the city continues to suffer from long power cuts. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has imposed one da y weekly off on general industry and two day weekly off on arc and induction furnace. According to sources in the industry, the power board is suffering from shortage of funds due to which they are forced to impose hours of power cuts. PSPCL authorities argue that the power department is facing power generation shortage in the national grids and at present there is a gap of 200MW between demand and supply.

• In the notice issued by PSPCL, general industrial consumers being fed category- 2 feeders have been directed to observe one weekly off day of 12 hours while arc/induction and rolling mills to observe two weekly off days of 12 hours each, till further directions. These orders have completely irked the industrialists who were hoping to get rid of power woes in winter. Federation of Association of Small Industry of India ( FASII) regional chairman Badish Jindal said, "The industry seems to be stuck with power woes and if such a situation continues f or some more time it would become difficult for us to sustain. This is clearly the fault of power department since they are facing a serious shortage of funds and were also unable to produce energy from thermal plants as it was costing them higher.''

• Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal general secretary Mahinder Aggarwal, said, "Since September the power department has been imposing weekly offs on and off, disturbing our entire schedule. In a single week, they issue two or three circulars, on an average, imposing or rolling back weekly offs.'' He added, "The entire power distribution system is in a pathetic condition as most of the employees remain on strike instead of performing their duties. In order to smoothen things the first and foremost thing to do is improve the department working.'' When contacted, director distribution of PSPCL, A K Verma, said, "Power generation from Hydel, Thermal and even national grid has reduced due to which we have schedul ed weekly off days for industries. Earlier, industry used to purchase energy from other states through open access but now they have stopped doing the same therefore we are facing problems.''