"Rawat ji came to our office to register his protest against the acute power crisis being faced by Uttarakhand", said a top official of the UPCL.
"Rawat Sir told the UPCL officials that farmers in the state, particularly in Haridwar, are reeling under unscheduled power cuts which in turn have dried their crops because of lack of irrigation water," a spokesman of Harish Rawat said.
The power scenario has failed to improve despite Uttarakhand buying power from the open market to bridge the widening demand-supply gap that has severely affected normal life in the hill state in scorching summer.
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna is facing stinging criticism from the opposition over the issue, with BJP leader Ajay Bhatt demanding immediate steps to improve the sitution.
Acute shortage of electricity has adversely impacted the industrial sector in the state, with power cuts ranging from 10 to 15 hours prompting industrialists to raise the issue. (more)