POWER FAMINE

The rural sides of the industrially advanced Maharashtra have been facing acute shortage of power for quite some time as in the case of water. Both the Economic Development and improving the quality of life largely depend on these essential inputs. However, the successive governments have not paid adequate attention to the development and promotion of these vital elements for unknown reasons.

While the cities are largely remaining unaffected of this power famine, the rural areas of Maharashtra are really reeling under an acute power famine which might snowball into a riot-like situation sooner rather than later. The state may find it increasingly difficult to control the restive crowd, let alone convincing them. A load-shedding of 12-14 long hours may not acceptable to the rural population of a state which boasts of development and largest amount of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). The policy makers of the state must acknowledge and act in manner that the rural population of the state also deserves a legitimate share on the economic development of the state. They can not be considered as disposable country-men for choosing to stay put in the villages feeding the city dwellers of their daily bread and butter or dal-roti

The division of the MSEB was done, without much opposition, with the sole and well-intended objective to ensure faster reforms and embark upon speedy power generation and effective power distribution. However, so many years after the vivisection of the MSEB, the desired objectives are yet to be achieved in a satisfactory manner other than making small improvements here and there. There will be few takers for the oft-repeated excuse of 15% power distribution loss etc.

As a direct fall-out of this power shortage two innocents have lost their lives in the violent Protest and the police firing. It is no one’s case to justify the violence and the police firing. But, it is just to point out that acute shortages of essential inputs of life may lead to such violent out pouring into the streets.

The Maharashtra government would do well to embark upon an accelerated power development and power reforms with a sense of purpose and direction to reduce the disparity between the requirement and availability of power. Otherwise, there may be more angry reactions and avoidable police action.