Hyderabad: The power crisis in the state that is looming large despite increasing power cuts to the domestic and industrial sector by another 20 to 25 per cent, may not be able to save the current Rabi crop as per projections by the energy department.
With the agricultural sector being allocated 35 per cent of the total power supply in the state, little scope is left for increasing cuts to the domestic and industrial sector beyond the current cuts. As per projections, the Rabi crop, for which the farmers have already spent on seeds and fertilisers, inadequate power supply will inflict huge losses for the farmers.
By March 2013, when the Rabi crop will be standing, the power shortage is expected to touch 100 MU per day.
The state government does not have a plan in place for the continuing 50 MU shortage over the last few months. Industry associations have projected that with more restrictions to the sector, ie. from the current 50 per cent to 75 per cent, and power cuts to the domestic sector bei-ng increased from the current 4 hours to 12 hours daily, the 35 per cent deficit will remain unchanged.
“Almost 70 per cent of the industries in the state are already sick. Any further power cuts will be too much for the industrial sector to handle. Even so, additional cuts would not be enough to meet the additional 50 MU shortage,” said Devendra Surana, president of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI).