'Power' tussle leaves city in the dark
12 May 2009, TNN

LUCKNOW: Frequent power cuts might be making life difficult for the denizens, but engineers are unwilling to take the responsibility solely on
themselves. Instead, they are bent on blaming it on the improper management of senior authorities and poor condition of power infrastructure in the city.

The signs of their being dissatisfied with the management came to the fore yet again on Monday when scores of junior engineers of Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (Lesa) staged a sit-in in front of chief engineer office. They later submitted a list of demands, which they claimed, would set the power situation back on track.

The pressure exerted by the engineers is also seen as a retaliation against certain orders of UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) administration by which the engineers were slapped with fine for the state of poor infrastructure. Lesa insiders said that the protest also unveils the growing unrest amongst the engineers threatened by the prospect of being transferred even as the top brass of UPPCL contemplates introducing franchise system.

This was the second time within a span of two months that the engineers staged their protest against the management, allegedly accusing it of targeting only the lower staff in the time of crisis.

The engineers said that the lack of focussed effort to bridge the gap between the demand and supply is the root of all problems. Sanjay Sharma, convener of Rajya Vidyut Parishad Junior Engineer Sangathan, under the aegis of which the protest was being staged, said that there have been hardly any efforts made by the private organisation for setting up power stations in the state even though the organisation entered into contract with the state government on various occasions. "The extent of losses was such that even the government agencies did not think of installing power stations in the state,'' he said.

The association, in their memorandum, said that it is not only about removing the gap between the demand and supply but also about maintaining the existing infrastructure and upgrading it. The office bearers said that schedule maintenance, which is the most important aspect in improvement and upgradation of the infrastructure, is not been adhered to. The engineers, who have often been blamed of being hand in gloves with the power pilferers, said that they would make concerted efforts to curb the menace so that the revenue situation can be improved and uninterrupted power supply could be ensured.

But for that to happen improvement in the technology is necessary, the association demanded in their memorandum. The engineers claimed that the department is in dire need of improved meters so that power consumption at the mass and individual level can be measured and adequate steps be taken on that regard.