State unlikely to be power-cut-free this yr

A shortage of water might ensure that the government does not achieve its plan to make the state power-cut-free by December this year.

A shortage of water might ensure that the government does not achieve its plan to make the state power-cut-free by December this year.

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Chavan told a gathering in Karad, his hometown, that the state will not give water to industry. This includes power stations where water is already scarce and is affecting the generation of energy. This means that the Parli station will stop generating 1,130 mega watts of power by early next year. Chavan had earlier announced that the government intended to rid the state of power cuts.

In addition to the water deficit, the excessive cost of the power the government must buy to meet the state’s demand is expected to stall the scheme as well. The state government also does not want paying consumers to bear the increased cost for defaulters.

Sources in the energy department said the CM supports state-run power company Mahavitaran’s view that it needs an additional Rs700 crore to buy more power if the state is to supply uninterrupted power to all. The company plans to supply uninterrupted power only to those who pay their monthly bills, not those who steal power.

Mahavitaran had started supplying to consumers in the ‘D’ group (the company has classified its clients in A, B, C, D, E & F categories depending on revenue collection) after former energy minister Ajit Paway made a commitment in that regard, but the company soon started suffering losses.

“If we provide power to the E and F categories, which have highest number of defaulters, we will end up burdening honest consumers,” said a senior official, requesting anonymity.