Hyderabad:
It's a forced holiday for the industry in Andhra Pradesh. With the government declaring that it cannot supply power for three days a week, factories are closing shop virtually half the week and trying to work extra hours the rest of the days, to make up lost time.
"March is year ending for us. We have to complete 30 per cent of the orders in the total year in March. If we don't, we will be losing the orders. And also lose credibility in the market. They will also penalize us for the late supply," said G S Reddy, President, Cherlapally Industries Association.
Powercuts are leaving the domestic consumers fuming too. Hyderabad is better off with a scheduled power cut of two hours everyday. In the rest of state, it is five to six hours and more. Most people blame sops like free power to farmers for the mess. Andhra Pradesh has 30 lakh pumpsets, among the highest in the country.
"Overall demand in all the sectors has gone up. Last year, the demand everyday was 230 million units. This year, it has gone up to 260 million units, which is an increase of 12 per cent. But while demand has gone up, the generation has not been able to keep pace," said Ajay Jain, MD, AP Transco.
Last year, the government spent Rs 6500 crore to purchase power. But this year, the government already suffering huge losses due to the Telangana agitation in December and January, refused, saying it had no funds to buy power.
But now, buckling under public pressure, the government has started buying power, spending eight crore rupees a day, hoping demand will ease by April, when the rabi season ends.
"March is year ending for us. We have to complete 30 per cent of the orders in the total year in March. If we don't, we will be losing the orders. And also lose credibility in the market. They will also penalize us for the late supply," said G S Reddy, President, Cherlapally Industries Association.
Powercuts are leaving the domestic consumers fuming too. Hyderabad is better off with a scheduled power cut of two hours everyday. In the rest of state, it is five to six hours and more. Most people blame sops like free power to farmers for the mess. Andhra Pradesh has 30 lakh pumpsets, among the highest in the country.
"Overall demand in all the sectors has gone up. Last year, the demand everyday was 230 million units. This year, it has gone up to 260 million units, which is an increase of 12 per cent. But while demand has gone up, the generation has not been able to keep pace," said Ajay Jain, MD, AP Transco.
Last year, the government spent Rs 6500 crore to purchase power. But this year, the government already suffering huge losses due to the Telangana agitation in December and January, refused, saying it had no funds to buy power.
But now, buckling under public pressure, the government has started buying power, spending eight crore rupees a day, hoping demand will ease by April, when the rabi season ends.
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