Are we not HUMANS? Powerless Vasai

Local newspapers in Mumbai write so many articles on other places facing problems of load shedding. Why is the Naigoan-Virar belt in the far western suburbs of Mumbai always ignored? Are we not HUMANS? Daily, there are dozens of photographs splashed of people at their residences and business establishments at places like Mulund, Bhandup, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Dombivili, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, etc. showing them coping up with power cuts for 3-4 hrs? Has anyone from the media bothered to check how people in the Naigoan-Virar belt live here without power for more than 10 hours daily?

Why this BIAS towards people living in Mumbai?

Why the step-motherly treatment to all those people in the above regions who have to live with power cuts daily?

While Mumbai wastes power in all kinds of ways, people face the brunt of power shortage.

The timing of load shedding was increased from 4 hrs to 6 hrs since March, 2007. Now in April, it has gone up to 8-10 hrs with erratic schedules. Hardly does a mother put her child to sleep at night; and again there is a power cut between 11.00 pm to 12.00 am and again between 4.00 am to 6.00 am. Whereas in Mumbai, Page 3 people and the elite party till 5.00 – 6.00 am. Why does the government not curb this power wastage?

There are sick and aged people who are suffering too. If their health deteriorates, will the government take responsibility? What about problems being faced by pregnant women and small children? School and college kids cannot enjoy their summer vacations due to the sweltering heat and no power unlike their counterparts in Mumbai?

People have to schedule their time to make use of basic electric appliances at homes and commercial places and on the other hand, there are dozens of film award ceremonies taking place week after week for the same stuff. How much power is being utilized for these award ceremonies? Does anyone care?

Why are we being treated as outcasts? Do people living in Mumbai pay double or triple times the taxes that we pay? We too are part of the population who contribute towards the economic development and progress of Mumbai and the country. Everyday, there is a debate whether Mumbai should be spared from load shedding and getting a respite for another few days or weeks. When crores are being spent on our useless cricketers, why can’t the same amount be spent on generating power for the people? Multinationals pay ridiculous amounts to cricketers and film personalities for endorsements? Do consumers especially the common man care a damn who is endorsing the product and do they actually watch the ad after a second or third time unless it is an exceptional one? Why don’t these companies utilize their monies for the development of the state and city? They will get their returns. Consumers will be more than happy to buy their product or service with without even throwing a glance at these ads.

Why should we pay the same taxes as those people living in Mumbai when we do not get even 1/3rd of the basic facilities like power? After a hard day’s work, we look forward to returning home to some relaxation but we are met with total darkness and complaining faces all over.

We need our tax monies worth or else we need a refund of all the taxes paid so far.

Where is Govinda? Did he ever show interest in the grievances of the people in his constituency? His Bhaagam Bhaag is only for fame and money. Where are the other politicians? Same false promises. Local goons have a nexus with corrupt politicians. All are only interested in filling up their coffers. Politicians and the authorities are only concerned with their being in power, but what about POWER for the common man?

 

‘POWER’ful Politician

‘POWER’less Common Men

Mr. PM, Mr. FM, Mr. CM, MPs, MLA, MLCs – are you all listening? Everyone talks about India progressing, India poised, India going global. Is this progress? Is this globalization? We feel we are going back to the primitive days at the rate we are living here. First, take care of the common man’s needs and then see how you go global.

Our grievances are not published by newspapers because they are not sensational like any celebrity wedding, cold war, murder trial, etc. etc. The never-ending Indian cricket saga gets lots of Print and TV space, but what about the highlighting the grievances of us people?

When a celebrity’s dog is lost, it grabs attention. If an actor or actress falls or faints, it is there in the newspaper. Do we not faint? Do we not fall? Do we not suffer?
WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD.

Mumbai citizens fight for stray dogs and cats and their rights but during the topic of discussions for sharing the load-shedding, these very people do not show any concern for us fellow citizens and go out by saying “Mumbai cannot go without power.”

If the whole of Maharashtra is subjected to load shedding 2 hrs daily, 1 hr – early morning and 1 hr – late evening, we can distribute the load shedding equally and also solve the power shortage to a greater extent.

WE DEMAND EQUAL RIGHTS AND SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY

From the people of Naigaon-Virar region
Thane District

Dark days ahead for Vasai

After a brief respite during the monsoon, power cuts lasting four to eight hours are expected to be back in Thane district (demand: 2,500 MW per day) in October.

“In October, agricultural activity will be in top gear. Farmers will start using motor pumps leading to a rise in demand,” said Ram Dotonde, chief public relations officer, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). “Load-shedding will vary from a minimum of four hours to a maximum of eight.”

Among the areas that will be affected are Bhandup, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, Thane city, Vasai, Palghar, Dahanu, Pen, Kalyan and Bhiwandi.

Dotonde said MSEDCL had not cancelled load-shedding, as some consumers believe, but kept it to a minimum (not more than one hour) since demand was low during the monsoons.

He explained that load-shedding is inevitable. “The total daily demand in the state is around 14,000 MW while supply is 9,000 MW. As demand rises, power cuts could become severe,” he said.

This could dampen the mood during the Dussehra and Diwali festivities, which fall in October. In 2006, MSEDCL had enforced maximum load-shedding in October.

Dotonde said, “All hopes are on the Enron project. The first phase (700 MW) became operational last week. The second phase (700 MW) is due on September 15 but faces legal hurdles. But if they are overcome, consumers can expect some relief.”

“Bhaiya , thanda me kya hai,

Sorry, hum thanda nahi rakhte hai.

“Kyun?”

“Kya kare bhau, yahan Thane taluka me har din paanch ghanta load shedding rehta hai na. Toh kuch thanda hi nahi rehta hai,

There is severe power shortage here in the state of Maharashtra [Mumbai/Bombay is the state capital of Maharashtra]. The state government’s answer to this shortage are frequent power brownouts, sometimes as long as 5 hours each day. Mumbai has been lucky to have been skived away from this crisis and enjoys 24 hours of uninterrupted power. But as the power shortage increases and the state government continues to respond ineffectually it looks like Mumbai too will join Maharashtra in darkness.
This looks to be the case as many of Mumbai’s power service providers are hinting at power cuts this summer.