Power use shows no ‘lockdown’ in industrial units

Nagpur: In an indication that almost all industrial units have continued operations even during lockdown, there was only marginal decline in power consumption through high tension (HT) supply, which goes to industries, in April. The restrictions had come into effect from April 13 and are in place till June 1.
During March, as much as 103 million units (MU) of power was consumed through HT supply in Nagpur city, Butibori and Hingna. In April, 95 MU was consumed in the same places through HT supply.
A reduction of 8 units is marginal if the majority of industries are supposed to be closed for half the month, said a MSEDCL source. So far, not more than 290 industries have submitted the self-declaration, which was mandatory for continuing operations by following norms during the lockdown.
Going by MIDC estimates, there over 2,000 big and small units in their estates alone. Apart from these, there are smaller industrial pockets likes Bhandara Road or Uppalwadi.
The restrictions allowed only industries engaged in making essential items like food products, medicines, or medical equipment. The units having continuous production process were also allowed. A self-declaration was to be submitted to the industries department by these concerns.
The remaining industries had to make arrangements for the workers to stay within or close to the unit. They were also asked to create a bubble arrangement, under which workers were supposed to be kept in a designated area and allowed to travel only to the factory and back. Even such units were to submit a self-declaration that the norms are being complied with before starting operations.
Sources in industries department admit that if only 290 units were officially operating on the basis of the declarations, the power consumption should have been much lower. The reduction of 8 MU power consumption can be mainly because steel units shut down for want of oxygen. As the cases increased, industrial oxygen had been diverted to medical use, which affected operations at steel units.
Sources in the government admitted a number of units are continuing operations without submitting declarations. The district administration has the power to take action against such units.
IN A NUTSHELL
There are over 2,000 units in MIDC estates alone
Only 290 units have given self-declaration for operations during lockdown
This means the rest are supposed to be closed
Power consumption data shows completely different picture
In March, 103 MU went through HT supply, and only reduced marginally to 95 MU in April