Weather hot while power fails

There is a popular saying, "What you want, you do not get; you get, what you do not want". In this hot weather, we badly need electricity that we unfortunately do not get; we get "load shedding", what we do not want. That is the sad fallacy of life which the PDB (Power Development Board) is all out to prove it to us. Power and not 'load shedding' is what we desperately need. The voters will probably remember this when 'general election' for parliament will be held next time.
Media is frequently reporting about the sufferings of the people due to current power shortage. In order to get rid of the situation, what is very important for the government to do is ensuring continuous supply of electricity all over the country. One of the reasons that Awami League came to power, was the failure of the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) to supply enough power.
Electricity is no longer essential for the cities only; rural people have equally become dependent on electricity for their day-to-day life. The government should not forget this. If they do, it is to their own peril; people will give the reply in next election.
Now, about power tariff. In order to reduce subsidy, the government wants to increase electricity tariff. My proposal for this is to penalise the domestic consumers if they consume more power. For this, I propose that for every kilowatt-hour that is consumed above 2000 KWN per house or flat, a surcharge be imposed at, say, Tk 2.00 per KWH above what is consumed beyond 3000KWH. This surcharge should be at the rate of Tk 3.00 per KWH and above 5000KWh per house or flat. Similarly, for small retail shops, the same formula may also be applicable. For larger shops different rates may be adopted in phases.
For industries, the electricity authorities concerned must ensure that they have power factor improvement devices installed, or a blanket fine of 25 per cent of their monthly power bill be levied, till this is not installed.
This will considerably reduce their regular power consumption and their recurring monthly power costs as well. Technically, the reason is poor maintenance, and lack of spares, particularly for all equipment related to their 'cooling circuit'. It could be the fault with the locally made cooling water supply pump that could be worn, and the impeller or pump casing needs replacement. I faced these kinds of problems in my more than thirty years of hands-on plant and equipment maintenance in various industries.
Engr S A Mansoor
Dhaka.