Nothing 'cool' about it

By V.N. Harinath

HYDERABAD, FEB. 23. It is summertime. Scorching one that too. What with summer set to sizzle in the days to come, one feels the need for a cool appliance. But Hyderabadis have learnt to cope with the hot air, if the dip in sales of aircoolers is any indication.

In fact, business during the last two years was bad. "Is saal Bhagwan jaane", reacts a dealer of aircoolers in Troop Bazar, one of the main sale points in the city. And he feels that demand for coolers is going to be slack this time also.

Going by people's fears about power bills, who would like to purchase a cooler, he asks. With the fibre glass assembled set consuming about three units a day, which family would like to pay extra when it is already burdened with the revised power tariff, he argues, wishing not to be identified.

"The rich have A/C, while the poor are content with fan, which may be switched off once everyone goes into a deep slumber. It is the middle class people who are in a dilemma -- whether to buy a cooler or not," he buttresses his argument.

Notwithstanding the increased power bill, a family opting for a cooler has to keep in view various factors like power cuts of at least four hours a day once summer touches its peak during April and May and water shortage, once the borewells go dry.

Also, they have to be on guard against frequent power fluctuations which could damage the pump. A minimum of Rs. 100 is charged by the repairer. No wonder, dealers are almost resigned to their fate. Says another: "Even if we manage to sell, the margin of profit will be to the bare minimum, going by various factors".

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