FAISALABAD, March 27: Unscheduled loadshedding of power has created a lot of difficulties for consumers, many of whom have also lost electric appliances to fluctuations in the supply of power.

All this is due to criminal negligence on the part of FESCO authorities, some consumers alleged while talking to this reporter. They observed that the FESCO authorities were not serving notices prior to suspension of power supply in violation of the rules.

It may be noted here that over three dozen markets and bazaars of the city are fully covered with iron sheets and have no alternative arrangements for power supply. Scores of shopkeepers are seen sitting outside their markets and plazas after closing their shops due to frequent power breakdown. Both shoppers and shopkeepers suffer as a result.

The worst affected areas are Kutchery Bazaar, Jhang Bazaar, Rail Bazaar, Narwala Road, Circular Road, Railway Road, D-Grounds, Ghulam Mohammadabad, Dogranwana Road and Faizabad. Owners of printing, dying and sizing machines, powerlooms and hosiery units have also been facing problems due to unannounced power suspensions.

A majority of the households have no alternative power generating arrangements for pumping water. “We cannot even offer prayers due to unavailability of water for ablution,” complained a housewife.