He added: “The power sector in Punjab in general and Mohali in particular has been neglected. Neither the government nor PSEB has worked on any solution to overcome the power shortage. It seems the authorities have compromised with the prevailing situation and are now sitting complacent.”

MIA General Secretary K S Mahal said: “With the global economic slowdown, the industries are already finding it difficult to run their businesses and their worries are extended further due to non-availability of power.”

“Mohali district is gearing up with new shopping malls and five star hotels but these projects may never take off for want of power,” rued MIA leaders, demanding immediate action to help resuscitate the state’s industry. 

Adding to the public woes is the ban on lighting streetlights during night. “Complete blackouts at night, coupled with the dark streets, are encouraging anti-social elements and criminals are having a free run,” said lawyer Tara Chand Gupta, adding that normal life has been thrown out of gear in the present situation.

PSEB officials, meanwhile, expressed helplessness claiming the gap between demand and availability of power is increasing by the day.