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This has reference to the article “UMPPs: Vital step in journey towards power for all” (Business Line, April 26).

The authors have rightly stated that it is proposed to add 1 lakh MW capacity during the current Plan period, mainly through 14 private sector owned Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMMPs) located in either pithead-based locations or import coal-based coastal locations.

In the context of the present normal electricity shortage of 11 per cent and peak hour shortage of 14 per cent, the proposal is a welcome initiative to make the country energy surplus by 2012.

India’s food-grains shortage was eased by Green Revolution, the milk shortage was solved by White Revolution and the telephone waiting lists were erased by the telecom revolution.

Similarly, we require an electricity revolution to eliminate power shortages.

One of the reasons for the shortages is the inefficiency of the largely Government owned electricity generating entities, the state electricity boards, which, through sheer callousness lose a sizable percentage of electricity through transmission losses and power thefts and pilferages.

They are some of the few organizations where the employees expect money to rectify faults caused by their inefficient supply system.

Besides, the free power supply to farmers and non-competitive regulated power pricing structure does not allow for efficiencies of production.

In the circumstances, free pricing, competitive plays in production and distribution, reduced cost of production due to economies of scale, meaningful measures to reduce the pilferage and transmission loss, right-sizing of staff and change in employee attitudes towards work and customers can result in an electricity revolution which alone can make the mission “Power for All” a reality.

P. E. Muthu Mumbai

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