Balan’s magic

Kerala Power Minister AK Balan said that the Kerala State Electricity Board would not impose any kind of power restrictions on consumers till June 15 despite the slashing of 75 MW from the Central pool and an unprecedented rise in consumption. Then my question is: Where from Mr Balan bring power? By magic?

Balan also told that the effort of the KSEB would go ahead without imposing load-shedding, or power-cut as far as possible. Here the phrase ‘as far as possible’ is a condition. Most of the time there is no power in the state. Then who bothers about power cut or load shedding technicalities.

It is true that the KSEB is advertising in channels to create awareness to bring down consumption. However the people have ignored it because KSEB is not a people friendly establishment. They tax people whenever there is an opportunity. The disreputable Meter rent at the rate of Rs 20 until one’s last is a barbarian act. Minister’s direct appeal to people to impose some kind of control on their own consumption will also bring no fruit as the minister himself proved that he is lavish in spending for power, of course, not from his pocket.

The minister asking students to introduce new techniques to save electricity also shows that his approach to power shortage problem is not at all serious. Withdrawing or not withdrawing the load-shedding is only a part of political game. When Achuthanandan faction gets an upper hand in the party there is load-shedding, otherwise no load shedding. How foolish the decision to withdraw the load-shedding in the context of the feeling that there would be no power crisis till June 15. It is better to create the post of an astrologer in the EB to forecast correctly when monsoon comes and when it goes.
The EB claiming that the load-shedding was withdrawn as a result of the efficient energy management by the board is a fairy tale. Sitting in complete darkness without any light is also a way of efficient management.

K A Solaman