Hot bath for UP buffaloes

Lucknow, Jan 15: A unique technique adopted by farmers in West Uttar Pradesh is giving headache to the officials of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd(UPPCL), already hard-pressed with meeting the increasing power demands during winters.

Farmers in the western belt of the state are using live electric wires to heat up ponds so that their cattle, mainly buffaloes could take a warm bath in this chilly weather. ''They believe this would help the animal give better milk,'' claimed UP Development Council Chairman Amar Singh. Mr Singh made these observations at a seminar held in the state capital recently.

While Mr Singh was commenting on the difference in attitide of farmers in West and East UP in terms of crop production, UPPCL officials said the techniques used by farmers was creating havoc for them.

Officials said while the farmers were not making payments for using power to heat up ponds, the usage was increasing the winter load in rural areas.

The rising winter load and demand by farmers for irrigation ahead of the Rabi season are giving sleepless nights to the officials of the state power department, who are unable to meet the rising gap between demand and supply of power in the state this season.

After a harrowing summer without proper power supply, most areas of the state are now languishing without power in biting cold.

Officials claimed here that winter load in the urban areas and demand for irrigational facilities ahead of the Rabi season have spiralled the power demand to a new high this winter.

While the state produces around 2600 MW -- 2400 mw of thermal and 200 mw of hydro power--, it imports over 2600 MW from the central sector to meet the increasing demand. ''But during evening hours, the gap is around 1500 MW which is forcing the UPPCL to impose emergency power rostering in many urban and semi urban areas, besides villages,'' officials admitted.

The state has an average demand of 7300 MW during peak hours.

The villages are the most effected by the lack of power supply.

With the UPPCL providing power upto only five hours a day in rural areas, farmers have been forced to use diesel generators for irrigation.

With UP Board and CBSE boards examinations due early March, students are increasingly finding it difficult to carry out self-study in the evenings and early hours due to lack of power supply. After endless hours of coaching and tutions, several students said they get time only during nights for self-study at home. Without proper heating and light, they find it difficult to revise the course and prepare for the crucial pre-board examinations due next month.

UNI