Date:13/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/13/stories/2008071354810600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Fresh power cuts throughout Andhra Pradesh

HYDERABAD: As Andhra Pradesh reels under a power crisis caused by a steep fall in hydel generation, the government has asked energy utilities to impose fresh power cuts throughout the State.

Major cities will have a power cut of two hours a day, smaller towns and mandal headquarters upto four hours and villages upto six hours. There will not, however, be any cut in the existing seven-hour supply to the farm sector. Further, industrial areas in and around Hyderabad falling under Central Power Distribution Company Limited have been directed to observe holiday once a week.

This is the first time in the last four years that the State is in the grip of such a crisis.