After flak, UP to buy 500 MW from trading entities
Updated: Jun 04, 2014 03:25:04pm
Lucknow, Jun 4 (KNN) After the Akhilesh Government came under flak for long hours of load-shedding extending up to 18-20 hours in several cities, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) today sought to buy 500 MW from trading entities and state utilities to tide over the crisis.
“UPPCL…intends to buy 500 MW, round the clock, firm power, from June 10, 2014 to June 30, 2014 under short term basis from various trading licensees, generators, state utilities, CPPS, distribution licensees, SEBs,” UPPCL said in a notification.
Except a few cities, most parts of the state have been reeling under acute power shortage in the residential as well as industrial areas.
According to a survey, continued power disruptions in northern, southern and western regions have forced industrial units to curtail their production by about 30 per cent in April and May 2014, the loss of industrial production is likely to exceed by 35-40 per cent in June and July.
In a related and important development, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has directed the Centre and the state government to file their replies on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking direction for the 24-hours uninterrupted power supply in the state like in some VIP cities.
The PIL alleged that while 24-hours power supply is being given to VIP cities like Azamgarh, Mainpuri and Kannauj , other cities are facing discrimination and facing power cuts.
The Court has given four weeks’ time to Centre and state government to file their replies.
“Unfortunately, a blame game is going on between the State and the Central Government without looking into the real and long term solutions to the problem,” said President of Indian Industries Association, Pramod Miglani.
The demand and supply gap is ever increasing and the situation is going from bad to worse. Line losses are un-controllable, industries are subjected to cross subsidies and burdened with the regulatory surcharges for the inefficiencies of the DISCOMs; still the power is not available. Partial solution could have been found with promotion of solar energy / other alternative sources of power, but the progress is at a snail’s pace, Miglani added.
The decision to buy power from trading entities by the state government follows a strong message from Union Power Minister, Piyush Goyal, who had said a few days ago, “There is enough power available in the Exchange for the UP government to buy, just the way they bought it before elections. They can buy it now. I urge the Chief Minister of UP to stop making excuses. There is no shortage. Only one state-run plant has failed which should be restored in 24 hours.” (KNN/SD)
“UPPCL…intends to buy 500 MW, round the clock, firm power, from June 10, 2014 to June 30, 2014 under short term basis from various trading licensees, generators, state utilities, CPPS, distribution licensees, SEBs,” UPPCL said in a notification.
Except a few cities, most parts of the state have been reeling under acute power shortage in the residential as well as industrial areas.
According to a survey, continued power disruptions in northern, southern and western regions have forced industrial units to curtail their production by about 30 per cent in April and May 2014, the loss of industrial production is likely to exceed by 35-40 per cent in June and July.
In a related and important development, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has directed the Centre and the state government to file their replies on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking direction for the 24-hours uninterrupted power supply in the state like in some VIP cities.
The PIL alleged that while 24-hours power supply is being given to VIP cities like Azamgarh, Mainpuri and Kannauj , other cities are facing discrimination and facing power cuts.
The Court has given four weeks’ time to Centre and state government to file their replies.
“Unfortunately, a blame game is going on between the State and the Central Government without looking into the real and long term solutions to the problem,” said President of Indian Industries Association, Pramod Miglani.
The demand and supply gap is ever increasing and the situation is going from bad to worse. Line losses are un-controllable, industries are subjected to cross subsidies and burdened with the regulatory surcharges for the inefficiencies of the DISCOMs; still the power is not available. Partial solution could have been found with promotion of solar energy / other alternative sources of power, but the progress is at a snail’s pace, Miglani added.
The decision to buy power from trading entities by the state government follows a strong message from Union Power Minister, Piyush Goyal, who had said a few days ago, “There is enough power available in the Exchange for the UP government to buy, just the way they bought it before elections. They can buy it now. I urge the Chief Minister of UP to stop making excuses. There is no shortage. Only one state-run plant has failed which should be restored in 24 hours.” (KNN/SD)
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