'30 minutes' maximum power cut'
Government's '30 minute maximum power cut' formula, published in almost all English dailies on July 17th has 'built in' contradictions and 'good excuses' incorporated in it, to cover all eventualities.
The PM's energy advisor reportedly stated that there will be 'uninterrupted' electric power supply during Sehri, Iftar and Tarabi prayers. For Sehri occurring well past midnight, this should be no problem, as it is the time of minimum demand period between midnight and six in the morning! However, Iftar and Tarabi prayer take place during the maximum demand period, when power need is highest.
The advisor also reportedly said that: "if necessary, we will produce around 6500MW against the demand of 6000MW during Ramadan." Were not the key words 'If necessary' and 'around' incorporated to cover for all or any power supply shortfall!? Further, the advisor had also stated, as reported in the dailies: "if the consumers use it(electric power) wisely". So any shortfall can be passed on to 'unwise usage by consumers', the safe way out!
After all that was said, mostly based on notes and memos from the ministry to DESA and PDB, with possibly nothing being done, for that would have been surely trumpeted in the report. However, the 'proof of the pudding, is in the eating'. So let's see how does the "uninterrupted power pudding" taste, which can only be evaluated during and after Ramadan.
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