Date:27/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022751112300.htm

Back Kerala looking to avoid load-shedding this summer

To fully utilise power generated from hydel projects, Central pool

Taking efforts
State may also use the high-priced power from its thermal plants.
Media campaign to create awareness to cut down on power consumption.
No hike in power tariffs even though the KSEB is shouldering a heavy financial burden.

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 26 The Kerala Government is trying to avoid power cuts and load-shedding this summer by fully utilising the electricity generated from hydel projects in the State and the allocation from the Central pool, according to the Minister for Electricity, Mr A.K. Balan.

Replying to questions in the State Assembly on Tuesday, Mr Balan said the State would also use the high-priced power from its thermal plants for the purpose. Besides, it has also embarked on a media campaign to create awareness among the general public to cut down on power consumption.

Power tariffs

The Minister said that the allocation from the Central pool had come down by 143 MW during peak time and 151 MW during off-peak time. At the same time, power consumption had gone up by eight per cent as compared to last year.

Mr Balan told the House that the Government had not thought about raising power tariffs even though the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) was shouldering a heavy financial burden in the wake of its increasing dependence on high-priced thermal power to meet the rising demand.

The Government had impressed upon the Centre to raise the State’s share from the Central pool to meet the situation. Besides, efforts are on to increase the generation from the State’s thermal power stations to the maximum possible level, the Minister said.

Tourist destinations

The Government would soon set up Tourist Destination Development Councils for the development of tourist destinations, the Minister for Tourism, Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, told the House.

Replying to questions, he said that the proposed councils, to be headed by legislators, would have statutory powers. The decision to set up the councils was taken as the District Tourism Promotion Councils had failed to ensure uniform development of tourism in the State, he said.Mr Balakrishnan said that the emphasis would be on promoting foreign tourist arrivals, as a foreign tourist spends Rs 3,200 on an average as against Rs 1,500 by a domestic tourist. The State recorded a 20.37 per cent increase in foreign tourist arrivals and 5.92 per cent increase in domestic tourist arrivals this season.

The Minister announced that a master plan would be prepared for developing Kollam as a major tourist destination. Also, hydel tourism would be promoted in a big way with the support of KSEB, he said.