Kozhikode , The KSEB has decided to approach the state government seeking permission to procure additional power at higher prices to meet the rising demand amid a power shortage in the state, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph said on Sunday.
He said he would write to the chief minister seeking permission to purchase additional electricity at higher prices and a similar request would be made to the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
He also said the current crisis could have been avoided if the long-term power purchase agreement signed during the Oommen Chandy government had continued. “This period has brought difficulties that compel everyone to think.
A new policy is needed-a policy aimed at increasing production,” he said. The minister also appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary electricity consumption and said the current situation required responsible use of available power. He said former minister V M Sudheeran had drawn his attention to street lights remaining switched on during the day. Joseph said street lighting was mostly managed by local self-government bodies and not directly by the KSEB. The minister said the KSEB and state government should not be blamed for the present power shortage.
