This year, the summer season is going to break all previous records and interrupted power supply is proving more troublesome. Only in few cities the power supply is available 24×7 whereas in rest of the states the people have to face the regular power cuts.

It may be mentioned here that due to unprecedented power crisis in northern India, over 25% micro, small and medium enterprises have come to the verge of closure due to their inability to use diesel-based power generation, according to information received by apex industry body ASSOCHAM.

It may be mentioned here that due to unprecedented power crisis in northern India, over 25% micro, small and medium enterprises have come to the verge of closure due to their inability to use diesel-based power generation, according to information received by apex industry body ASSOCHAM.

The worst affected states are Punjab, UP, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi, thereby threatening the livelihoods of thousands of workers,” said D.S. Rawat, Secretary General of ASSOCHAM while stating his observations.

India is projected to see a power shortage of 5.1 per cent compared to demand in the current financial year with southern and north-eastern regions anticipated to witness high deficits.

At the same time, losing no time, one of the promises of Narendera Modi is to improve power supplies and to honour its commitment serious, the Energy Ministry has been given to Piyush Goyal.
On the other hand, Arvind Kejriwal has said that BJP is neither forming the government nor conducting the re-election. It is also not in a position to control the power shortage and is working in a more irresponsible manner.

In fact, due to high temperature, the faults in supply line are increasing and in the past, due to heavy storms, the supply lines were affected in certain parts of the country, which is one of the reasons for interrupted supplies.

Recently, the press conference conducted in this regard, clearly speaks that PM is quite serious on the issue of electricity supply. He understands the energy problem minutely and making efforts to improve the same. In case the efforts of new government are successful, its impact will not be immediately visible.

There is one more problem, to bring reforms in power supplies, the alertness on the part of state governments is more important and these are more needed on their part. Almost all electricity boards are in loss and self-interests of the political leaders and certain influential parties are obstacle in improving the same. Power, water and roads like issues are very important from political point of view now a day and normally the election results are dependent on these issues and this is the reason all the state governments are promising to provide power supplies during their tenure but as of now, people are facing the power cuts.

Let me also share that India is 4th country in the world for producing the highest electricity but keeping in view its geographical area and population, it is not sufficient. To our surprise, one–third of rural population is not having the electricity connection even and those who are having are not getting the regular supplies. Our production is less than our consumption and there was a shortage of 11 to 13 per cent against the increase in production.

Another factor for shortage of power supply is that about 24 per cent of electricity goes waste due to technical faults and in case we add the loss due to theft and defective meters, this percentage is likely to go up. Our Thermal Plant is not producing the required production due to irregular coal supplies and gas.

Frankly speaking, it is very unfortunate that during the past few decades, no concrete steps had been taken. Even any sound planning had also not been made to meet the future energy requirements of the country. Lack of vision at the part of our planners and deficiency of commitment among the executors has been the major reason of this situation that we are facing today.
In case the present government wants to improve the situation then there is a need of reforms at various levels to cope with the requirement of power supplies in the country.

No doubt the domestic supplies are as important as industrial supplies which are further linked with the employment opportunities. There is a need to pull up the state level electricity supply boards to bring reforms on priority basis and ensuring regular supplies of raw material.

The improvements in power supplies can give a new look to the economy of the country besides giving a relief from the scorching heat to the common man who cannot afford to have alternative arrangements like generator or invertors.