Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120452940300.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

KERC urged to help improve power supply

Staff Correspondent

MGP seeks action against ESCOMs
MCCI discusses power crisis

MYSORE: Consumer activists here have appealed to the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) to take steps to review the power supply scenario, involving the public in the deliberations, and issue necessary directives to the electricity supply companies (ESCOMs).

People of the State have been subjected to unreliable electricity supply in the past few months. Lengthy power cuts (of up to 12 hours) have been imposed all over the State, according to the Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP).

“Electricity supply companies must have foreseen the crisis, and if they foresaw it, they concealed it from the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission in their tariff proposal for 2008-09. We request the commission to take action against the electricity supply companies for this alleged fraudulent lapse,” said MGP president Maj. Gen. (Retd.) S.G. Vombatkere.

“If on the other hand, the electricity supply companies did not foresee this enormous power shortage, it indicates gross incompetence and inefficiency on the part of them. We request the commission to take action against them for this incompetence and inefficiency,” Maj. Gen. Vombatkere said in a press release. Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) held a meeting here recently to discuss the problems plaguing the industry sector in Mysore. The most prominently discussed subject was the deteriorating power supply situation.