Jaipur, Nov 4: The Rajasthan State Electricity Board has imposed curbs on the energy consumption by the industrial sector. Facing the problem of unprecedented power shortage, a daily two-hour cut on the domestic consumption has also been ordered, says MD Kaurani, chairman of RSEB.Talking to The Financial Express, Kaurani said that the present crisis had arisen due to the closure of nine generating stations in the northern India, which supplied about 600 mw to the state. In the atomic power station at Rawatbhata, near Kotah, some technical problems had led to its closure.
Against the assured supply of 3,830 mw to the state, there was a shortage of 2,465 mw, said Kaurani. The normal daily consumption of power in the state is 6 crore units with the agricultural sector getting 40 per cent and industries 35 per cent.
Kaurani said due to the Y2K problems, the power stations at Suratgarh and Kotah had also faced problems in the generation.
Sources in RSEB said the ministry of power had also withdrawn one-third of its special allocation of power (88mw) from October 20. The state government is perturbed over the fact that this had been diverted to other states like Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, UP. No explanation was available from the power ministry for the cut in the special allocation of power supply.
The Gehlot government has taken up the matter with the Centre. ``No politics should be allowed in such matters'' says a senior official.
RSEB is trying to get power from Punjab but the latter insists on regular payments. Punjab is in a position to sell power worth Rs 90 crore per month to RSEB, but the latter's financial position doesn't allow it for advance payments.
On whether RSEB was finding some other ways to get power from Punjab, Kaurani said the outstanding payments had to be made first. ``We are finding ways to clear the position''.
Kaurani said that the biggest problem being faced was by the farmers as the rabi sowings had begun. In the wells, the water level had fallen due to scanty rains this year. Only recently, RSEB had revised tariff netting Rs 500 crore additionally in a year.
Kaurani is hopeful that the power situation would improve with the new plants being put up. At Suratgarh, RSEB was in an advanced stage to put up yet another unit of 250 mw based on coal. ``We have also invited the private sector to invest in the power sector and the response has been encouraging'' said the chairman.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.