Power outages A perennial problem

P K Mam
We, continue to grope with the power shortage problem in summer to the hilt which eventually puts the people to enormous hardship. This is despite state being bestowed with ample reservoir of water bodies by way of rivers flowing in this mountainous region. Unfortunately, the lack  of farsightedness by those at the helm of affairs at different times for not prioritizing power sector is the main reason for failure  to  fully explore and exploit natural resources  while framing policies and plans to people’s advantage. In fact, the demand for uninterrupted and quality power supply to people remained a casualty always, because of dependence of solution to problem more on “RAIN GOD”, non-seriousness of issue and even by people who failed to exert pressure for initiation of concrete measures-but preferred to suffer silently .Moreover, certain class of people manage not ever to feel pinch of misery on this account due to reasons known to everybody.
This summer, as we have witnessed, the common man, as usual, is led to face untold suffering for want of regular power supply. Unscheduled power cuts, low voltage, frequent fluctuations and breakdown are a matter of routine which has even rendered use of electric gadgets at houses for relief disfunctional. Unfortunately, power cut (even if it may not be) remains an alibi for other departments to disrupt water supply for domestic use at several colonies without schedule for prolonged hours and days which make hell on the lives of common man. (Tail end located houses are worst sufferers). Over all the impact is such that we prefer to discourage to invite or receive a friend or relative who intends to visit us, even in need due to hardship being experienced because of power shortage problem.  We are not sure that lights will come or not or on turning taps will water come or won’t! We live with problem of stress, strain, waste time and energy by making repeated enquires on power cuts/ water supply because of insensitivity to common man’s woes in the given system.
COMMON MAN’S SUGGESTIONS   :
* Take up the matter forcefully with Center to make available adequate resources viz. expert technical services, man power and financial support to overcome impediments for generation and transmission & distribution of power to people on utmost priority. If necessary, please divert resources from other sectors also temporarily to solve resource crunch on priority.
*  Stop making discrimination for adherence to power cut schedule, low voltage and fluctuations for un-influential colonies only. This measure does not allow fast track solution of problem, as warranted.
*  It is reported that measures have been taken to improve distribution of power by engaging services of private agency (Wipro). Please gear up the machinery to get the task completed in a definite time bound schedule, otherwise it may take decades to get the job fructified.
*  Need to put in place definite time schedule to plan and execute task for generation of new power projects and also devise fool proof system to check pilferage problem with the least possible delay.
*  Fix accountability for failure to ensure 100% achievement in making available quality and uninterrupted power with the result- oriented approach. Inculcate the work culture, overcome operational bottlenecks at each stage and in time by streamlining quick decision making processes and show door to inefficient, non performers, under performers for dereliction of duty.
To overcome power shortage problem is a serious issue which needs a big push and calls for speedy solution .Hope our  CM (who also holds charge of power portfolio) will kindly address to this challenge with his dynamism, visionary and time bound approach towards achieving objective of self-sufficiency in power sector, and thereby bringing new hope, wellbeing and realism for masses of state.
By the time this writes up is used, the monsoon must have come, given succor against scorching heat. As always happens, we all shall forget to raise voice for power and authorities too will take leisure from responding to public anger, who may have kept them on toes to know the result of strategies devised till now, to improve power scenario which otherwise may lead them to gain time and hood-wink the issue at least till such time peak summer restarts in 2014. Let this not happen!