DURING THE PAST few weeks, as power distribution in India's capital passed from government to private hands, shopkeepers have reported a spurt in candle sales, miserable residents have sweated through 10-long power cuts and allegations have been flying thick and fast that anti-privatisation unions are sabotaging the transition.
As teething problems go, they have been on a massive scale since July 1 when the two private companies took over distribution.
But even more surprising is the unrealistic attitude of New Delhi citizens. After 50 years of prodigious corruption, greed, and graft in Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB, the electricity board), they optimistically expect a miraculously better power supply in a few weeks.
Some are pointing a finger at DVB workers, saying they are deliberately not repairing faults or answering complaints from consumers out of anger that their days of making packets of money are over.
The suspicion is well-founded.
A tidal wave of unhappiness crashed through DVB's corridors when stricken employees realised that privatisation was inevitable. It has happened only after years of ferocious resistance from employees and dithering from the government. For years DVB has been known as one of the most corrupt organisations in India with most of the staff on the take.