Uttarakhand MSMEs hit by power shortage

With the power production showing a declining trend due to increase in silt in various hydropower plants, unscheduled power cuts have become a recurring menace for the industry especially the micro small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.

A delegation from the Industries Association of Uttarakhand (IAU), a leading body of MSMEs in the hill state, met with Managing Director of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) Anil Jain to inform him of the difficulties faced by the industries.

The IAU, led by its President Pankaj Gupta told Jain that industries were facing difficulties for the past few months. Handing over the details of power cut during the past three months, Gupta said repeated unscheduled power cuts not only affect the productions of the industries but also cause economic losses. The power supply is being cut at least 3 to 4 times a day, he added.

Jain directed the concerned officials of his department to prepare short-term and long-term plans to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the industrial units in the state. “These problems are mainly occurring in industrial areas like Mohabewala, Langha Road and Selaquie industrial areas where there are no sub-stations,” said Gupta.

The UPCL has also agreed to improve the functioning of its call centre in Dehra Dun to ensure better service.