'No alternative to imposing load shedding'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala government on Friday made it clear that it has no alternative to imposing 30 minutes load shedding to tide over present power crisis in the state due to weak monsoon and cut in power quota from the central pool.

Replying to a notice for an adjournment motion moved by Opposition UDF on load shedding, Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem rejected the opposition charge that load shedding was due to mismanagement and sale of power to National Vyduth Vyapar Nigam (NVVN).

Kareem, replying on behalf of Power Minister A K Balan, said the state was facing a serious power problem due to monsoon failure. The peak hour shortage of power was 500 MW and Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) was forced to impose 30 minutes load shedding to tide over the crisis.

Seeking leave for the motion, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (Cong), alleged that the government was responsible for the present power crisis. The KSEB entered into an agreement with NVVN for sale of power during June to September and this has resulted in the crisis, he said.

Refuting the charge, Kareem said KSEB's deal with NVVN was for the sale of "surplus power" produced during monsoon season from hydel projects operated by water from rivers. With the monsoon failure, the state has already informed NVVN that it cannot provide power during June-September as per the agreement.

Kareem said the Centre had slashed state's share to 700 MW from its allotted quota of 1200 MW and this had also worsened the power scenario in the state.