Powerless policymakers!
The front page headline in a local English daily (Feb: 16) on the matter clearly presents the faltering and slow trend in decision making regarding investment in the power sector.
Our authorities seem to be butterfingered in this matter. Even the CTG, free from corruption and political push and pull, seems to be another lame duck on the issue. They are very keen to pass the buck to the next elected government; shirking this crucial national issue. Meanwhile, plant costs are going up and up!
Here the industry insider's remark on the subject as reported is well worth quoting. It states: “The progress in the last one year was virtually slow, even you can say frustrating.” Where do we go from here? Possibly a further delay of around two more years while the new elected government settles in. Lying ahead is a hot and dark summer for the poor power consumers, when power demand is bound to go up! Our authorities seem to forget that time and tide wait for none. Meanwhile, we go on dithering in our decision making! One wonders who will at long last "bell the cat"? Timeframes for delivering new plants, its prices and delivery schedules are all bound to go up.
Meanwhile, our policymakers including the CTG are entrenched possibly in the old spirit of the old saying "Slow and steady wins the race". Maybe slowly, but surely they will realise the folly of this logic, as timeframes and plant prices go sprinting by!
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