Devolution of Power to People

I relate another instance which makes a strong case for the devolution of power to people.  In the area I live, as elsewhere in the country except when you are lucky to have VIPs in your neighbourhood,  there are frequent power breaks.  They are so erratic that sometimes you are caught unawares for hours without essentials like drinking water.  Even the inverters break down when the cuts are beyond an hour or two.  If you inquire, that is if you can get through to the electricity company  at all, they have the common refrain: “maintenance work is going on”.  One wonders if so much maintenance work takes place, why is the supply so erratic?  But there is no answer to this question.  Anyway, we are the ultimate sufferers from the effects of the cuts in power supply.  The electricity companies are not affected.  That makes us the major stakeholders in the electricity supply chain.  Should we then not be kept informed about the schedule of maintenance and other activities of the companies, so that we can plan our own schedules to minimize disturbance?  In this age of information technology, it is quite possible for the consumers to be kept informed.  Telephone companies and banks do it routinely for their customers.  Electricity companies can also do so.  Moreover, why should we be not involved in planning and overseeing the maintenance and development work of the electricity companies in our areas?  The involvement can be through Residents Welfare Associations of the concerned areas.  Skeptics amongst us will say,” How is it possible?  It is the responsibility of the companies and their administrative authorities”.  But it is we who suffer and not the authorities.  So, we must push for the desired oversight role.  It is our democratic right, and duty, to do so.   We would simply ensure that the planned schedule is adhered to and do not seek to interfere in any of the other functions of these companies.