The Generator Lords

Very Strange title isn't it? We have heard of Land Lords or Zamindars in the Rural areas then who are these Generator Lords?

I am talking about a nexus between the Generator Lords and the State Electricity Board in some parts of UP. especially in a place called Puranpur during my stay in 2002-2003( I heard later this situation exist in some other parts of the District and State as well)

I have seen power cuts and power problems in all parts of the country but never imagined someone come up with such an idea which later developed into a full pledged Generator Lobby/Mafia.


This is an alternate arrangement. You get a parallel supply of power from the Generator during the power cuts. The power cuts used to be in the range of 18 to 23 hours a day. Imagine the plight of the people. It was equal to having no electricity connection at all.

Here comes the Saviour, the Generator Lord, who will provide you power as per your requirement in different packages of watts. Minimum is 100 watts which is enough to run a fan and a tube light. The minimum monthly commitment is Rs.450 ( in 2002-2003). If you want extra power you pay more. You want run your mixer or tv then switch off light and fan, by mistake if you switch on
an extra bulb, your MCB at the Generator room will fall and you need to run to the provider to lift the MCB.

The Generator Lord is like a mini power plant with minimum of 100 to 500 connections. He will run the generators on diesel ( Wonder how the subsidized diesel get misused, it happens only in India). Each area or wards shared like a cable tv provider.


Now there are compulsory breaks in supply too they are power cuts from their end. And will go off when there is electricity from the Board.

If we have close look at the arrangements, the common people who feel satisfied because there is an alternate arrangement.

Generator Lords- Happy minting money using a power less situation and subsidized diesel

Electricity Board: No complaints of power cuts from Citizen

The Nexus: Generator Lobby would close if the state start providing minimum hours of electricity per day, they wont until their pockets are full.


Questions to be asked:

1. Was power situation in the State was so bad that you supply only 1-2 hours per day? That too in the middle of the night?

2. Is it a authorized business to supply electricity through generators?

3. Is it not illegal to use subsidized diesel for the unauthorized business?

4. Why electricity board and urban civic body is mum on illegal wirings which are dangerously laid?

5. When we will wake up and stand against these crimes?