The business community in Gaya, Bihar, is sounding the alarm over persistent and unannounced electricity disruptions, claiming they are severely hampering commercial and industrial activities. The Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) has formally expressed its concern, highlighting the plight of areas like Manpur, where numerous power looms are located.
CBCC Patron Recalls Better Past, Highlights Current Woes
Kaushalendra Pratap, the patron of the CBCC, stated that he has raised this critical issue on multiple platforms. He drew a comparison with the period between 2014 and 2018, when a private company managed power distribution in the city. According to him, the power situation was markedly better during that time.
He explained that after a dispute, the agreement with that private firm was terminated. Consequently, the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) resumed control over the distribution network. Pratap credited the private company with executing a large-scale upgrade, replacing naked supply wires with insulated distribution cables. This move, he asserted, led to a significant boost in power quality and helped curb electricity theft, which had previously plagued the city's supply.
Demand for Uninterrupted Supply Meets Official Response
The business body has demanded special arrangements to guarantee an uninterrupted power supply for industries that rely on electricity to stick to their production timelines. This is particularly crucial for the power loom units in Manpur, where any outage directly translates to lost productivity and revenue.
When contacted for a response, Ajay Kumar Singh, the executive engineer of SBPDCL's Gaya urban supply division, termed the complaint as "vague in nature." He said he could only address specific, documented instances of power cuts. Singh pointed out that some outages are unavoidable due to essential maintenance and fault repair work. He outright denied the allegation that the frequency of power cuts has risen recently.
SBPDCL's Priority: Recovery of Outstanding Dues
Outlining the company's current focus, Executive Engineer Singh revealed that the recovery of outstanding dues from consumers is a top agenda item for SBPDCL, especially with the financial year-end approaching. He provided a striking figure: approximately 25% of the nearly 1.4 lakh power consumers in the Gaya urban division are currently listed as defaulters. This indicates a significant challenge in revenue collection for the power distributor.
The situation presents a clear conflict: while local businesses plead for a stable power supply to operate effectively, the distribution company is intensifying efforts to recover pending payments to secure its own financial health. The resolution of this impasse is vital for Gaya's economic vitality.
