The Opposition parties and other organisations have raised their protest against the UDF Government approving the KSEB proposal to introduce one-hour loadshedding - half-an-hour each in the morning and evening.
Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan alleged that the UDF Government had failed to keep up its promise on not to introduce loadshedding in the state. He pointed out that the UDF had earlier stated that power would be bought from other sources to avoid loadshedding. Even before the monsoon is over, one-hour loadshedding had been introduced. There is a possibility of introducing power cut in the near future. The lack of planning and inefficiency of KSEB came to light with this loadshedding, VS said.
He reminded that the decision of the government came just after the power tariff hike. There are moves to privatise the Board citing loss to the industry. This move is to find an excuse for the next tariff hike. He urged the government to withdraw the anti-people polices, including loadshedding.
DYFI state secretariat alleged that introduction of loadshedding is similar to declaration of war against the public by the UDF Government. Loadshedding and power cuts which were not heard of during the LDF rule are back now. DYFI warned of agitation if loadshedding is not withdrawn.