Another blow for Ludhiana industry

After depriving industries in Ludhiana of power for two days a week, the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has now imposed an additional daily four-hour power cut, even in areas where 90 per cent of the load is industrial.

The industry is upset at this move and are sceptical about any improvement in the power crisis. Industry representatives said the number of days without power could be increased to three.

Peeved by the situation, they have requested the PSEB to ensure at least eight hours of uninterrupted power supply daily.

Speaking to Business Standard, the president of the Federation of Tiny and Small Industries of India (FOTSII), Joginder Kumar, said despite weekly offs, industry was subjected to unscheduled power cuts.

"Despite the paddy season being an annual feature, the power situation over the years has not improved. We fear that a 3-day weekly power cut is on the anvil. If that happens, it would act as a blow on production and also hamper exports. Already our production has gone down by at least 30 per cent,''he added.

In industrial estates more than 90 per cent load is of industry. The PSEB authorities used to cut power on Sundays and Mondays.

However, now four hours' of power was being cut daily and that too whenever the PSEB wants. Moreover, paddy cannot be grown at the cost of industrial loss.

The situation is no better for the hosiery industry. Ludhiana Knitwear Club President Vinod K Thapar said owing to its seasonal nature, the knitwear industry had to supply its products to domestic and foreign markets within a stipulated period.

"But due to power cuts it has become very difficult. Due to our industry's seasonal nature, any supply after the stipulated time is not accepted by customers in domestic or foreign markets. We have also complained to PSEB Chairman YS Ratra and Parliamentary Secretary Surinder Dawar about the erratic power supply. If the crisis continues, our industry could be declared sick,'' he added.