Belgaum: The Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) does not seem to be in a position to implement the assurance of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy that there would be no power cut during the time of SSLC examination.

This became apparent at a press conference addressed by HESCOM Superintending Engineer and in-charge Chief Engineer B.K. Udaykumar here on Wednesday.

Explaining the situation in Belgaum Circle, he said there was already a shortage of about 46 million units (mu) as against the present demand for 250 mu a month for the district.

He said the load shedding had started on Tuesday. It would be effective in two schedules — from 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. The power supply would be affected for half an hour for each area connected to 37 feeders in the city.

When his attention was drawn to the reported assurance of the Chief Minister, he said the HESCOM would do its best to ensure that the impact of power shortage was minimum in view of school and college examinations.

Rural areas

In rural areas, he said there would be no power cut between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. to enable students to study for the examinations. Load shedding in rural areas would be for 10 hours — seven hours daily for single-phase and three hours for three-phase connections.

He said load shedding would continue till May end or until the State received sufficient rainfall.

He said the revenue collection in Belgaum Circle was nearly Rs. 25 crore to Rs. 27 crore every month, including about Rs. 17 crore to Rs. 18 crore from Belgaum city alone. The transmission and distribution losses in Belgaum circle was about 24 per cent. He said there was power theft in different areas, but could not specify the loss on this count.

Inspection

Mr. Udaykumar said a private agency had been appointed to check energy meters all over the city for illegal connections. A total of 75 teams consisting of six members each, including an engineer, had been formed. These teams would start work from March 26, he said.

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