The hard pressed chavista administration has decided to ration electricity supply. As usual improvisation, lack of consultation with the concerned parts, political segregation, lack of information for the public, absolute ignorance of the consequences of such cuts are the norm, just as with the previous failed rationing of shopping centers!
Segregation: so far we only know of electrical rationing in anti Chavez areas of Caracas and Maracaibo. Here, in now chavista Yaracuy, we are all fine and dandy, that is with the occasional blackouts we have suffered for the last two years...
Improvisation: announcement came without any consultation with the people and the manufacturing sector. Thus a nifty and meaningless grid of rotating shortages has been published without taking care of describing exactly what the different affected sectors are.
Lack of information: not only there has been no warning of the coming rotating blackouts, but no essential information has been offered. You know, useful stuff such as how to protect your electric operating devices, where to go in case of emergency, etc, etc...
Ignorance of consequences: what is going to happen with the lower production? Can business afford to have days with only 4 hours of electricity? What about schools? What will kids will do without electricity? And what about crime which will find its workings simplified as electric fences, electric doors, electric cameras, etc, will be conveniently impaired? Never mind those who depend of medical home equipment to remain alive and other such affected sectors....
But this blog is always willing to help as it understands that even though Chavez and his minions have fucked up big time with Venezuelan electric system we must all suffer from it.
The solutions are very simple:
Work with the biggest consumers. Try to make a many industrial plants close either a Friday or a Monday, that is create the three day week end allowing business to deduct from their income at least part of the payroll they will be required to pay by law. Plus other measures to make sure that the sacrifice is shared by the employer AND the worker. After all, if electricity shortage makes certain business bankrupt, what woudl the workers do after that? This also apply to public administration, by the way.
Rotate services. Malls, banks, shops and such should close one day a week, in rotating fashion, between Tuesday to Thursday.
Increase prices. Above a certain level charge much more of electricity. That is, offer a flat rate which includes a TV, 5 light bulbs, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a water pump, two fans and an iron for a family of five for a months. All the rest, hot water, AC, extra TV, etc, 50% more, these things that bring your consumption up above a certain level is charged twice as much. Period.
Make people pay for electricity. All deadbeats are found in the public administration who simply does not pay its bills. Let's start there. But let's also start making all pay for electricity, including the vast popular zones that simply steal electricity. Bring them the adequate service they deserve but force them to pay at least a small flat rate.
With this rather simple scheme to implement over a period of a couple of weeks, we can keep all hospitals, all schools and all homes supplied with electricity. If rains do not come back earlier, then we can toughen it up, but let's start simple instead of complex 4 hours cut that make no sense and do not take into account the realities of a modern world.
Anyway, ME THINKS that today rationing show, which is simply unworkable, is a side show to distract from last Friday's devaluation.