ITsAP seeks government intervention in power crisis

Says discom notice on control measures severely-crippling

ITsAP (The IT and ITeS Industry Association of Andhra Pradesh), an apex body with more than 300 members representing the software industry in the state, on Tuesday expressed concern over the serious power situation.

The industry has been subjected to severe power cuts in the past. And now it been served with “severely-crippling (unreasonable)” notices by AP Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APCPDCL) in Madhapur and Gachibowli areas here regarding restriction and control measures during peak and off-peak hours. Besides, the notices inform of levy of penalty and disconnection if a company exceeded more than 5 per cent of permitted demand limit.

These notices have been issued after specific assurances were given by APTransco to both state IT and communication department and the industry to help protect operations and avoid any power cuts.

“The industry has been bearing 4 hours power cuts on a daily basis during peak hours, but notes with extreme concern the additional stringent impositions on it by APCPDCL as per the specifications of Aperc. The Industry in Hyderabad is amongst the first to create awareness about power conservation, and came up with a set of best measures including switching of air-conditioning after office hours and discouraging employees to come on Saturday and Sunday unless demanded by work,” ITsAP said in a release.

V Rajanna, president of ITsAP, said round-the-clock operations of the industry, which services its clients based in different time zones globally, come under the purview of ESMA Act of AP and was exempted from statutory power cuts.

“The industry is experiencing such severe power cuts that it has had to fall back on captive power through diesel generators. This has not only pushed up the cost of operations by 60-80 per cent but also increased the carbon footprint by 4-5 times,” Rajanna added.

ITsAP is demanding the withdrawal of the notices, increase in usage limit from the present 60 per cent to 80 per cent of the permitted demand, billing for the exact recorded demand by APCPDCL, exemption of VAT for diesel purchased for captive generation and removal of duty on captive power generation. “The industry hopes the government will be able to find a lasting solution for the current power crisis and prevent wearing down of ‘Brand AP’ as the most favoured IT/ITeS destination,” he added.