Power cuts looming over State

Power cuts looming over State
Deccan Herald

Be prepared to face the winter-cum-summer shock — loadshedding — between January and March 2007.

With the daily consumption of power expected to touch an all-time high of 140 million units, the State Government is planning to go in for loadshedding or to purchase power from neighbouring states.

Though the latter has been its priority, it all would depend upon the availability of power with the possible suppliers thanks to the nation-wide demand for more power. The issue has been the main focus of the State Cabinet which met here on Thursday evening.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj S Horatti said the Cabinet has authorised a sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to take a final decision in this regard in a day or two as purchase of power would incur an additional monthly burden of Rs 200 crore on the state exchequer.

Kerala to help?

Daily consumption is expected to touch 140 MU between January and March — 20 per cent more than the consumption during the corresponding period the previous year. At present, only 117 MU power is being generated daily in the state and several parts of the state are already experiencing unscheduled loadshedding.

Indicating that the government was in favour of purchasing power, mainly from Kerala, Mr Horatti said the government cannot afford to delay the purchase owing to demand for power from various other parts of the country.

However, officials indicated that they may not resort to loadshedding if the government is able to get additional power as required “but it may become a compulsion otherwise”.

The government has to purchase power at Rs 6.25 a unit as against Rs 3.14 being collected from the consumers and this would drain an extra Rs 4.04 crore a day from government coffers.

State is powerless

* Daily consumption to touch 140 mu a day

*Present generation: 117 MU/day

*Options: buying more power from neighbours or loadshedding

*Purchase would entail Rs 200 crore more

*Purchase price: Rs 6.25 a unit.

Consumer pays: Rs 3.14 paise