GUWAHATI, Oct 7 � Aimed at easing out the power crisis, the Assam Government has asked all heavy industries operating in the State to refrain from production work during peak evening hours, which could ensure availability of up to 200 MW for general consumption.
Talking to media persons today, State Power and Industries Minister Pradyut Bordoloi divulged that the Government has asked the high-tension consumers (heavy industries) which require massive power supply to stop production from 5 pm to 12 am from October 10 onwards.
However, he added that it was only a temporary measure to tide over the present power scarcity the State was facing.
The decision came in the wake of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi categorically stating that the State is not going to encourage heavy industries and instead would focus on small and medium industries.
�Of course, they can carry on production by using generators during the peak hours,� he said, pointing out that the step would save up to 200 MW during the evening hours, when demand for power is the highest.
�We have been buying additional power from the national grid at market prices since this month to meet the demand, which cannot be done always,� the minister stressed, while clarifying that the burden would not be transferred on to the common man in the form of tariff hike.
