The small and medium enterprises (SME) in Karnataka are to be worst hit by the load-shedding being implemented in the State.

The Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (Kassia) expressed its anguish in a release. “Load-shedding is a shock for us as we are in the process of recovering from a series of setbacks. At this hour of dire need for agility and vigorous working, the present load-shedding is going to hurt us the most,” it said.

The efforts to reduce distribution loss by electricity supply companies (Escoms) are not convincing, it said. Separate feeders for domestic, industrial and rural consumption are not being adopted rationally, said the statement.

“It is strange that the SME sector, which consumes only about 7 per cent of the total power produced and supplied in the State, gets a raw deal. The quality of power supply is poor and deficient.”

The power requirement of the State is met by four sources — 30 per cent Raichur Thermal Power Station, 35 per cent hydro electricity, 10 per cent non-conventional (wind and solar) and 25 per cent through the central grid.

Kassia said: “The Udupi Project though ready has not yet been started for want of 400-kv lines (to be provided by KPTCL). KPTC has not managed the transmission with adequate initiative and proactive efforts for the last four years.

“On the whole the SME sector, which is generating and maintaining employment besides supporting wider industrialisation, is forced by load-shedding to work below its optimum capacity, which also affects its viability and future strength.”

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