Load shedding in Delhi

The fact is that there is a serious shortage of power supply that the Sangh Parivar Grid is facing. The situation has turned particularly grave over the last few days with power supply to Parliament poised tentatively in the 273 MW range 8212; this is a deterioration from the more comfortable position of 277 MW that had existed earlier this week. Any further withdrawals could witness the total tripping of the present political dispensation.

The factors that triggered this highly unstable situation are many, and we will proceed to listsome of them, so that corrective action 8212; if any 8212; can be taken forthwith. What makes the situation particularly difficult, in our view, was the sudden disruption from the Chautala gas-based project in Haryana. While a complete cessation of support from this source does not seem a likelihood at present, but the possibility of such an eventuality cannot be ruled out since this is a highly erratic source of supply.What makes the situation even more complicated is that the chief mechanic that had done the deal with Chautala, that is, former minister Madan Lal Khurana, is today in bad odour with the ruling dispensation and therefore his expertise in this area could not be requisitioned.

Fortunately, the West Bengal Package, including special train services to the state, the mounting of a special statue of Subhas Chandra Bose, and the supply of fresh hilsa at subsidised rates to the residents of Calcutta, has for the time being ensured that the rather uncertain supply of power from the West Bengal Grid, betterknown as the Mamata Grid, will continue. But again, we would like to alert the authorities to the highly volatile nature of this source of power and efforts will have to be made to bring the West Bengal Grid within the ambit of the Sangh Parivar Grid. So far, we learn, such a move have not been fruitful.

We would also like to bring to the notice of the authorities that there is considerable Tamp;D losses 8212; ie, losses in power supply caused during transmission and distribution 8212; from various elements from within the Sangh Parivar Grid. Last week, threats of disruption were issued by four supporters of the aforementioned Khurana, as well as another small source in Madhya Pradesh. All this, you will agree, create fluctuations in the power supply situation, which could eventually lead to the short circuiting of the entire system.

We would like to place on record our appreciation of the Sangh Parivar authorities handling of its Southern Grid, which with its handsome transmitting capacity of over 20 MW, is acrucial factor in the health of the Sangh Parivar Grid. The High Frequency and High Voltage nature of the Southern Grid requires specialist handling. This source of power has, in the past, caused a great deal of turmoil because of its defective overlay system. That problem, fortunately, seems to have been corrected, for the moment at least, thanks to the electrical genius of top engineer George Fernandes.

We acknowledge the efforts of Hon8217;ble prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to sort out our power problems. Now on a much-publicised trip to Lahore, we learn that the hon8217;ble Prime Minister may be negotiating the purchase of some power from that nation. This should help ease the situation a bit by generating some domestic and international goodwill. However, we have to express our doubts about its efficacy in addressing the many problems facing the Sangh Parivar Grid at the moment.

In fact, it is our honest assessment, that the Sangh Parivar Grid looks as if it is in imminent danger of complete breakdown.This is just by way of alerting the authorities to this sad possibility.