Power shortage

Due to the acute shortage of power in the state, there have been frequent power cuts all over the state of Maharashtra for the last 2-3 months. These power cuts were further increased last week to 4 hrs a day in Pune. Now the power failures have taken a political turn with Shiv Sainiks bashing up the MSEB officials in Pune. Condemnations has been pouring in from all quarters.

Though I don't agree with the means adopted by Shiv Sena (I too believe that violence is the last resort of only the incompetent), I feel that it was the state government which is to blame to the current crisis. When they knew that the state is not producing as much electricity as it needs and its coffers don't have enough money to buy power from elsewhere, what was the sense in providing free power to the farmers? I came across a nice article, which says why free power is not free. The writer puts in persuasive arguments to prove that free power to farmers harms us in more ways than one.

But the more startling fact is that with this decision of the ruling government to provide free electricity to the farmers, they have started to move towards a society which puts need above ability. If you are needy, the government will provide for you at the cost of who is able. What justification is there for the power cuts in Vidharba region which produces almost 60% of the power in the state? That some farmers in the state need electricity and cannot afford it? What justification is there for power cuts in the industrial regions of other cities? That some farmers in the state cannot afford power and the industries can afford an alternative source at their own expense? The power hungry politicians, just to get a few more votes in the election, are doing more harm to the society in the longer run by providing free power to the 'needy'.

If need be the basis of allocation, I need to study in IIM Ahmedabad. Mr. Chief Minister are you listening?