Letter to an Editor

Dear Editor,

Our concern is about the lack of response from the office bearers in
the KSEB office. In the past couple of months, we have been
going through flash power cuts at least 8-10 times a month. The power
loss happens mostly after dusk or late night. If it rains or there is
a medium-strong wind, we wait anxiously to see if the fuse or the
transformer supplying power survives or succumbs to put us in dark.

Unfortunately, the transformer succumbs every time. What transpires
between us and the KSEB office bearers is being given as a dialogue to
help you understand the exact response, words and if possible their
arrogance! Whatever mentioned below is NOT fiction but exact responses
from KSEB office we been hearing for the past 18 months!

Time: 06: 25 PM
State of power supply: No Power
Possible reason: Rains for 20-25 minutes (summer showers)
Waiting period before calling KSEB: 45 mins (To ensure we do not jump
the gun but let them fix it on their own!)

Dialing KSEB’s land line numbers (forever engaged!). Dialing KSEB’s
mobile number … and as there is no known technology to
keep it ‘engaged’ unless there is a call, an officer answers it,
gingerly!

The following is a typical conversation:
KSEB: Hello KSEB...

Consumer: We do not have power for the past 45 minutes…

KSEB: (Grunts) … what is your consumer number?
Consumer: XXXXXX

Response A
KSEB: Aaa! Yes… we are aware of your areas’ problem. It is 09:30 PM now. Linemen have gone for a movie… they will come back by 10:30 PM or
so…. I will see if anyone can help look up the transformer after then…
So, madam… Please adjust till then…

Response B
KSEB: Oh! Is it? Well… I think a transformer (somewhere) is under maintenance. Maybe your area falls under the power supply of the transformer. You may get the power back in another 2-3 hours!

Response C
KSEB: Madam, it was raining all the while. There was lightning too.
Maybe the fuse in the transformer must have broken. All linemen are
here in the office. But if and when there is no lightning (!!), we will
look into it. Else you will get power in the morning. We cannot do
anything for you!

Response D
KSEB: Nobody has complained yet. So we will look into it a little
later. Power may come soon, anytime! Please wait.

Response E
KSEB: Is it so? Where is your place? Does it fall under my KSEB office?

To all the above responses, we have been pleading citing the lonely
surroundings, relying only on the inverter power, for some quick help,
offering directions to reach the area at 11:45 PM and to hear these
words when they reach our gate, “This call for help is such a bother in
the night!

And we have been paying all our bills on time!

Is there any relief to our concern? We are not asking for well
behaved, educated KSEB office bearers (there is a resource crunch
world-wide!!) but all we are requesting the KSEB is to ensure there is
periodic maintenance of the line, ensure transformers in and around
the area are checked frequently and some training to the office
bearers on call management!

As I key you this mail, the power has been playing hide-n-seek for the
fourth time! Time now is 09:00 PM! I can see another call being
attempted to reach KSEB! We will be kept busy by the KSEB officials
all night! Thank you so much!
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