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JULY-SEPTEMBER, 2002VOL. 3
NO.3 The government of Kerala is in a fix since almost all sections of the people are joining in protest against the hefty hikes in the power rates introduced by them. The funny part of the situation is that many cabinet ministers too are opposing the power rate hike. The minister of industries Mr. P.K. Kunjalikutty openly expressed his dissent by saying that this hike is unwanted and will have adverse impact on industries. Two partners of the UDF coalition Kerala Congress (B) and RSP (B) are opposing the power hike and alleged that the decision was taken without consulting them. Mr. K. Karunankaran M.P. long time Congress Chief Minister also openly opposed the power rate hike. In the history of Kerala such a shocking power rate increase never took place and hence the opposition against it is almost all embrassing. A hefty increase of 40% - 140% for the domestic consumers, 15% - 20% to the industrial consumers, 8% - 20% to commercial establishments, 82% to old age homes , orphanages were imposed. This is the second tariff enhancement within one year, besides the heavy increase of various service charges. The claim being made for the increase is that the government is forced to buy thermal power at higher costs since hydel generation is reduced due to bad monsoon. This story will not cut any ice because such situations were handled by the erstwhile LDF government skillfully without raising the power rates. Also they have managed power shortages by improving power generation with top speed which were acknowledged and praised by one and all including the arch enemies of the government. The new government under Mr. Antony with out carefully assessing the situation was carried away by the advise given by Asian Development Bank “experts”. He could not conceive the idea that these bank experts are not interested in our development. They if get a chance will try to smash our vital sectors like power so that our total development will be halted and reversed. So that our production system is damaged and we will forced become more and more dependent on them. The “ADB experts” invented an argument that Kerala’s power loss including theft is about 50%. This has been done without any study or evidence and was only a trap to misguide the people. For killing a dog the best method is to “depict it as mad” such was this story. The people of Kerala were shocked to hear that 50% of the power generated is lost mainly due to theft. Thus a public opinion has been created that electricity Board is bad and it should be privatised since they cannot give the people the required service and improve power position in the state. Reality that the electricity board of Kerala is considered to be one among the best. If proper policy direction is given, they perform well. The Minister in charge and the electricity board chairman both are experts in many fields but ignorant in handling the problems of the power sector. Therefore they were only swallowing the ADB prescriptions without understanding its intentions. We do not wish to go into the details of the foolishness they have committed in handling the power sector which will have long standing adverse impact. However the present agitation of the people against this unwanted power rate hikes if not taken seriously by the government the very existence of the government itself will become a big question. Therefore we plead with Mr. Antony ‘do not become a Casabianca’, instead withdraw the power rate hikes and reconsider and reformulate the whole power policy of the state.
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