WEST BENGAL-Bleak Outlook for Power

September 26, 1981 WEST BENGAL Bleak Outlook for Power Timir Basu WEST BENGAL continues to be oppressed by chronic power shortages. In fact, power cuts are on the increase. Within one month, industrial activity had to be halted on more than one occasion because of restrictions imposed on high tension consumption. Domestic consumers are, of course, faced with power failure every day. While the bUger establishments have been somehow tiding over the crisis, either by dubious means or by pumping extra money into captive generators, small enterprises arevery hard hit. The West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) has even gone so far as to warn that there will be still less power in the coming years. The Power Secretary disclosed that the state would have to live with a staggering shortfall of 1000 MW till