The most visible form of energy, which is often identified with progress in modern civilization is power, commonly called electricity. There is a shortage of electricity in the country. A report from the Times of India states that “India is expected to face a wider coal shortage during the quarter ending September, worsening risks of widespread power outages. The grim forecast shows the extent of the fuel shortage in India, at a time when annual power demand is seen growing at the fastest rate in at least 38 years and global coal prices are trading at near-record levels due to a supply crunch resulting from the Russia-Ukraine crisis”. There is a need to increase awareness about its shortage and build sensitivity towards its responsible use. These days LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamps are promoted throughout the country to save energy. Also, CFLs consume 80 per cent less power as compared to ordinary bulbs. Shifting to renewable resources is also a way to deal with shortage of power but there is a long way to go before renewable sources dominate and overpower the conventional sources. Apart from renewable sources, more public investment and technological innovation is the need of the hour.

Read the following Assertion (A) and Reason (R) : Assertion (A): State Electricity Boards incur huge losses. Reasoning (R): Issues like transmission and distribution losses, wrong pricing of electricity, and electricity theft among others add to the woes of electricity distributors. Select the correct alternative from the following:

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A). Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A). Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false. Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

State Electricity Boards (SEBs), which distribute electricity, incur losses. This is due to transmission and distribution losses, wrong pricing of electricity and other inefficiencies. Electricity is also stolen in different areas which also add to the woes of SEBs.