The Hindu Business Line : LT consumers told not to draw power during peak hours

Coimbatore, Oct. 15 Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) gave a KO punch to the Low Tension (LT) consumers on Wednesday asking them not to draw power from the State grid for four hours from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

The board warned that any consumer found violating the rule would have the connection snapped, and it would be restored only after 48 hours after payment of necessary reconnection charges.

In a communication to the LT consumers, the board stated that in view of the prevailing power situation, “it has been directed by the Government to restrict the supply of electricity”.

It directed the LT consumers to “go off the TNEB grid” during the evening peak hours of 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day with effect from October 15.

Mr D. Gandhikumar, President, Tamil Nadu Small &Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA), said already the small and tiny industries were crippled by the long hours of power disruption not only during day time but during the night hours too.

Because of the disruption, the productivity was hit and the latest diktat would mean that small units would not able to work for up to 10-11 hours a day unless they had their power back-up.

He pointed out that not all small units could afford to have their own captive power generation facility in view of the large investment needed — Rs 3-4 lakh — for having the generator and other accessories.

Besides, the operational cost also would be high since they had to buy diesel paying Rs 50 a litre and whose supply also was erratic.

The power generation cost worked out to Rs 12-16 a unit making it unaffordable to most of the tiny and micro units. They also faced the prospect of losing their orders to their rivals who have captive power generation facility.

Mr Gandhikumar said the erratic power supply also affects the quality of the products, particularly in continuous process industries, leading to the danger of greater rejections. This would only add to the loss of the industries.

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