Look Inside The Book
Genesis
crore by early 2012. Their operations have since been
suspended. The next in the row is Jet Airways with similar
predicaments. Low oil price in 2014-15, however, provided
them a welcome breathing time to put it on rails. In 2014
it had a loss of ` 4,130 crore that got reduced to ` 2,097
crore by 2015 (clipping 97). Most airlines in our country
are in a financial mess. It casts serious aspersions over
the future of our aviation industry and demands for an
urgent introspection of the impediments ailing them and
their tangible cures.
– The power scenario too is gravely depressing. Shortages,
load shedding and frequent outages are regular features,
crippling industries and businesses, making people’s lives
miserable. It is despite the claim of surplus power by the
Power Minister, Mr Piyush Goyal (2015-16). The ageing,
creaking and long outdated sub-stations and distribution
network in the country too need a total overhaul without
which even if power is available it may not reach the
consumer. Losses of State Electricity Boards (SEBs) alone
stood at ` 70,000 crore in 2010 and were forecasted to
rise more than ` 1.0 lac crore by 2014 (India Today, 13
June, 2011). The total accumulated losses of SEBs stood at
` 2.5 lac crore (source: Shunglu Panel, January 2012 and
Financial Express 25 February, 2012). By 2013 losses rose
to ` 2.9 lac crore and debts over ` 3.5 lac crore (World
Bank). The biggest losers are SEB’s, the Distribution
Companies and the Banks who loaned them. With the lack
of concerted efforts situation is getting grimmer with the
passage of time (clipping 70A).
A great factor of losses is government unmindful subsidies and free electricity to the consumers.
– Banks and financial institutions are shying away from extending them further finances (clipping 70). The
situation is hugely worrying and set to be more agonising
in times ahead due to the shortage and poor quality of
coal, the struggles for environmental clearances, and the
distressing delays in implementation of new projects.
There is scanty effort on renewable energy sources and
their R&D. In reality the power situation is grimmer than
it appears as most thermal power plants are ageing and
creaking having already long lived their lives. Frequent
slowdowns by protests of the local people and social
activists against new nuclear and hydro power projects
add to the gloom. For instance, Kudankulam Nuclear
Plant at Tamil Nadu had to be cleared by the Supreme
Court after losing a precious time of at least two years
due to protests. Similarly the Sardar Sarovar Narmada
Hydro Power project is unduly delayed for one reason
or the other and its complete operation (1450 MW) may
commence only by 2018-19 or so.
– The depletion of environment and quality of air in India
has reached a dangerous level. US is alarmed and are
concerned for the safety of their people. They have
now decided to monitor our environmental pollution
themselves and caution their citizens visiting India and
protect their staff working in our country (Clipping 6). It
is a blemish on us and is indicative of our incompetence
in addressing this problem ourselves.
– Water shortage has assumed alarming proportions.
Excessive use of groundwater has not only depleted
our aquifers but also contaminated the water, making it
unsafe for human consumption (Chapter 8.6 (p. 370)). At
least 25 percent of our country is afflicted with this curse
(clippings 71A, 71B, and 71C). Due to this in many parts
of our country the entire population is born crippled for life and leads a pathetic, neglected, and woeful existence