Erratic power supply has crippled lives of people in the State Capital in the scorching summer season. Although, according to the Government, heavy demand and old supply system is the reason for this problem, political parties and industrial bodies are saying that the Government is unable to solve it.
Recently the industrial body of the State, Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) said that the State Government is doing nothing to improve electricity supply system, which is affecting business and industries.
FJCCI has demanded that the State Government should give the work of electricity supply to private companies because the work culture of the supplying company is such that it is not able to provide uninterrupted power supply to people.
Speaking on what step the State governments has taken to streamline the power cuts Director, Personnel, Jharkhand Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (JUVNL) MP Yadav said the demand of electricity in the State Capital is 300 Mega Watt (MW) in summer season, while it needs only 200 MW to 230 MW in rest of the year. “Most of the time power cuts take place due to disturbance in weather conditions just as heavy rains, storm and others. The State electricity transmission company Jharkhand Urja Vitran Nigam Limited (JUVNL) is getting enough quantity of power as much as required. Many a times electricity cuts are due to technical fault,” he added.
While giving detail of the main problem of the supply system Yadav said that as supply system is 20 to 25 years old. “At that the time of formation of the State, Ranchi used to need 80 MW to 90 MW at that time but now it needs 300 MW in peak hours. The State Government is changing the old system into new system as capacity of old electricity supply system was very low now the company is changing it into high load capacity system,” he added.
“We got Rs 7 per unit of electricity from the State Government and when we try to run our plants or industries by diesel generator sets then it cost Rs 27 per unit and it also affects our production. The businessmen are highly distressed due to poor supply of power. Most of the industrial units in Tupudana and Kokar are getting closed due to this high cost of production,” said FJCCI president Deepak Maroo.
Speaking on the issue State Congress Committee Spokesperson, Lal Kishorenath Shahdeo said that the State Government had announced that it would streamline electricity supply at the end of 2017 but it had taken one more year and said that the situation will be improved at the end of 2018 but this May. “It’s 2019 and people of the State Capital are facing severe power cuts. The party will start agitation very soon to improve electricity supply system in the State Capital,” he added.
