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Edgar Fernandez keeps a mariachi suit in a rusty wardrobe at the public hospital in Caracas where he works as a nurse, donning it for performances that augment his meagre salary.

Given that he earns just $10 a month, the money from these shows has been his salvation in crisis-wracked Venezuela, where nurses have been forced to reinvent themselves as home entrepreneurs, security guards or builders just to survive.

Being a nurse in Venezuela is an almost impossible job these days: the country has seen an exodus of the profession, leaving those who remain short of colleagues and contending with problems such as major shortages of medical supplies and devastating electricity blackouts.

"A nurse's salary is worth nothing," Fernandez told AFP, saying the money he earns from a 12-hour shift "can't buy anything."

When a show clashes with his work shift, he has to pay a colleague to cover for him, meaning that his earnings -- which are not always money -- shrink.

"Sometimes they pay me... with flour, lentils... I prefer this to going home empty-handed," said the 40-year-old, who practically lives in the Perez Carreno hospital, sleeping on a dirty mattress since he cannot afford rent.

Decked out in his silver-lined outfit, Fernandez sings in bars and homes, and is even sometimes hired by former patients.

He saved up to record an album, which he peddles to radio stations. His hope is to one day find fame.

Home-made hairspray

Francis Guillen makes hairspray that she sells in Caracas's busy Catia market as she battles, like most Venezuelans, to make ends meet in a country whose inflation will reach a staggering one million per cent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund.

"If I didn't have another job, I don't know what would have become of me," said the 30-year-old nurse, who in a single day selling hairspray can earn the equivalent of her monthly salary.

Sometimes her father, also a nurse, helps her mix the chemicals in a bucket in her front room.

Her husband, who gave up his job as a fireman, also helps out with the business.

Guillen is tempted to resign from her job, but says the desire "to serve" her compatriots is keeping her from joining the 3.3 million people the United Nations estimates have left Venezuela since the start of 2016.

But since June 2018, 15,000 members of her profession -- or around 40 per cent -- quit and many of those emigrated, according to Ana Rosario Contreras, president of the Nurses College of Caracas, which has called for salaries to be paid in dollars to halt the exodus.

'In love' with nursing&nbsp;

By day, Carlos Ruiz works as a security guard for a metallurgy company and also does odd jobs.

The 42-year-old says he does "what's needed to survive."

But despite saving up as much as he can, he hasn't been able to buy a new nurse uniform for the last four years: he needs 10 months of salary for that.

He also has to deal with the scarcity of hospital supplies -- up to 80 per cent in some sectors, according to NGOs -- which President Nicolas Maduro blames on an economic war waged by the United States at the invitation of the opposition.

"There's no lack of those who accuse us of stealing medicines," according to Ruiz, who said he is "in love" with a job that allowed him to be present at the births of his four children.

In some hospitals, a single nurse has to look after up to four patients, something those in the profession decry as "labour persecution."

Working to save lives

Repeated major electricity blackouts have also taken their toll on the medical sector, knocking out power to hospitals -- many of which do not have working generators -- with potentially deadly consequences for patients.

Camilo Torres sells pastries and ice cream in his home in the southern state of Bolivar and goes to work at the local hospital on foot because of the lack of public transport. It takes him two hours.

Facebook photos attest to the toll his struggles have taken on his body: three years ago, he weighed 120 kilograms (264 pounds), but now weighs just 65 (143 pounds).

"I'm skinny and that's due to hunger," said the father of three, who wears broken shoes.

A neighbour helped him sew them up because a new pair costs three times his salary.

He can't even afford socks and his once white uniform looks yellow -- for Torres, detergent is a luxury.

But he won't give up.

"My job is to save lives. If there's no one in the hospital then I'm sure that if today 10 people die, tomorrow it will be 50 and that pain would never leave me," he said.

Edgar Fernandez keeps a mariachi suit in a rusty wardrobe at the public hospital in Caracas where he works as a nurse, donning it for performances that augment his meagre salary.

Edgar Fernandez keeps a mariachi suit in a rusty wardrobe at the public hospital in Caracas where he works as a nurse, donning it for performances that augment his meagre salary. Given that he earns just $10 a month, the money from these shows has been his salvation in crisis-wracked Venezuela, where nurses have been forced to reinvent themselves as home entrepreneurs, security guards or builders just to survive. Being a nurse in Venezuela is an almost impossible job these days: the country has seen an exodus of the profession, leaving those who remain short of colleagues and contending with problems such as major shortages of medical supplies and devastating electricity blackouts. "A nurse's salary is worth nothing," Fernandez told AFP, saying the money he earns from a 12-hour shift "can't buy anything." When a show clashes with his work shift, he has to pay a colleague to cover for him, meaning that his earnings -- which are not always money -- shrink. "Sometimes they pay me... with flour, lentils... I prefer this to going home empty-handed," said the 40-year-old, who practically lives in the Perez Carreno hospital, sleeping on a dirty mattress since he cannot afford rent. Decked out in his silver-lined outfit, Fernandez sings in bars and homes, and is even sometimes hired by former patients. He saved up to record an album, which he peddles to radio stations. His hope is to one day find fame. Home-made hairspray Francis Guillen makes hairspray that she sells in Caracas's busy Catia market as she battles, like most Venezuelans, to make ends meet in a country whose inflation will reach a staggering one million per cent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. "If I didn't have another job, I don't know what would have become of me," said the 30-year-old nurse, who in a single day selling hairspray can earn the equivalent of her monthly salary. Sometimes her father, also a nurse, helps her mix the chemicals in a bucket in her front room. Her husband, who gave up his job as a fireman, also helps out with the business. Guillen is tempted to resign from her job, but says the desire "to serve" her compatriots is keeping her from joining the 3.3 million people the United Nations estimates have left Venezuela since the start of 2016. But since June 2018, 15,000 members of her profession -- or around 40 per cent -- quit and many of those emigrated, according to Ana Rosario Contreras, president of the Nurses College of Caracas, which has called for salaries to be paid in dollars to halt the exodus. 'In love' with nursing By day, Carlos Ruiz works as a security guard for a metallurgy company and also does odd jobs. The 42-year-old says he does "what's needed to survive." But despite saving up as much as he can, he hasn't been able to buy a new nurse uniform for the last four years: he needs 10 months of salary for that. He also has to deal with the scarcity of hospital supplies -- up to 80 per cent in some sectors, according to NGOs -- which President Nicolas Maduro blames on an economic war waged by the United States at the invitation of the opposition. "There's no lack of those who accuse us of stealing medicines," according to Ruiz, who said he is "in love" with a job that allowed him to be present at the births of his four children. In some hospitals, a single nurse has to look after up to four patients, something those in the profession decry as "labour persecution." Working to save lives Repeated major electricity blackouts have also taken their toll on the medical sector, knocking out power to hospitals -- many of which do not have working generators -- with potentially deadly consequences for patients. Camilo Torres sells pastries and ice cream in his home in the southern state of Bolivar and goes to work at the local hospital on foot because of the lack of public transport. It takes him two hours. Facebook photos attest to the toll his struggles have taken on his body: three years ago, he weighed 120 kilograms (264 pounds), but now weighs just 65 (143 pounds). "I'm skinny and that's due to hunger," said the father of three, who wears broken shoes. A neighbour helped him sew them up because a new pair costs three times his salary. He can't even afford socks and his once white uniform looks yellow -- for Torres, detergent is a luxury. But he won't give up. "My job is to save lives. If there's no one in the hospital then I'm sure that if today 10 people die, tomorrow it will be 50 and that pain would never leave me," he said.

Venezuela nurses turn to side jobs to survive economic crisis

Over 6,000 people in East Delhi have been shifted from low-lying areas to safer places on Tuesday as the water level in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/yamunas-water-level-crosses-warning-mark-delhi-chief-minister-arvind-kejriwal-calls-for-emergency-meeting-243997">Yamuna river has crossed the "danger mark."</a>

"Currently, the Yamuna river is flowing at 250.99 above the danger mark. We have made all necessary arrangements. Around 6000-7000 people in East Delhi district from low-lying areas have been shifted to 1100 tents. We are also ensuring them three-time food and drinking water. Sanitation facilities and electricity are also being provided. Our health check-ups teams are also there for their examination," Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Arun Gupta told ANI.

The magistrate said that the administration has requested the people to not go in low-lying areas in Yamuna belt.

Gupta said the water level will decrease gradually from Wednesday. "There is a possibility that after Wednesday, the water level will decrease gradually," he said.

The river was flowing at 205.94 meters, 0.61 meters above the "danger mark" of 205.33 meters. The water level is expected to rise further as Haryana released 1.43 lakh cusec water on Monday evening.

The Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had chaired a high-level meeting of Cabinet ministers and officers of concerned departments to take stock of preparedness for any situation arising out of excess water in the river.

After meeting, he urged the people living on the Yamuna floodplains and low-lying areas to move to safer places.

As a precautionary measure, vehicular movement on 'Loha Pul', an old iron bridge over the river connecting East Delhi to Old Delhi, was closed.

The Yamuna level is expectedly going to rise to 207 metres as the highest amount of water -- 8,28,000 cusec -- was released in the history of Hathni Kund barrage on Sunday.

The Delhi government has set up 2120 tents for 23860 people who are expected to be affected due to the excess water resulting in Yamuna's overflow.

Over 6,000 people in East Delhi have been shifted from low-lying areas to safer places on Tuesday as the water level in Yamuna river has crossed the "danger mark.

Over 6,000 people in East Delhi have been shifted from low-lying areas to safer places on Tuesday as the water level in Yamuna river has crossed the "danger mark." "Currently, the Yamuna river is flowing at 250.99 above the danger mark. We have made all necessary arrangements. Around 6000-7000 people in East Delhi district from low-lying areas have been shifted to 1100 tents. We are also ensuring them three-time food and drinking water. Sanitation facilities and electricity are also being provided. Our health check-ups teams are also there for their examination," Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Arun Gupta told ANI. The magistrate said that the administration has requested the people to not go in low-lying areas in Yamuna belt. Gupta said the water level will decrease gradually from Wednesday. "There is a possibility that after Wednesday, the water level will decrease gradually," he said. The river was flowing at 205.94 meters, 0.61 meters above the "danger mark" of 205.33 meters. The water level is expected to rise further as Haryana released 1.43 lakh cusec water on Monday evening. The Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had chaired a high-level meeting of Cabinet ministers and officers of concerned departments to take stock of preparedness for any situation arising out of excess water in the river. After meeting, he urged the people living on the Yamuna floodplains and low-lying areas to move to safer places. As a precautionary measure, vehicular movement on 'Loha Pul', an old iron bridge over the river connecting East Delhi to Old Delhi, was closed. The Yamuna level is expectedly going to rise to 207 metres as the highest amount of water -- 8,28,000 cusec -- was released in the history of Hathni Kund barrage on Sunday. The Delhi government has set up 2120 tents for 23860 people who are expected to be affected due to the excess water resulting in Yamuna's overflow.

Over 6,000 in east Delhi shift to tents as Yamuna water level crosses 'danger mark'

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari on Thursday claimed that the Delhi government's decision to give free electricity to those consuming up to 200 units was a result of the BJP's efforts.

"We welcome the move for free electricity, it is the result of BJP's efforts. However, the more important question is that when will Chief Minister Kejriwal return Rs 8,500 crore looted in the name of fixed charges," Tiwari told reporters here.

Earlier today, the Arvind Kejriwal government announced free electricity to those consuming up to 200 units and 50 per cent subsidy for those consuming between 201-400 units a month.

"This will barely cost Rs 100 crore to the treasury. On one hand, they have announced free electricity to those consuming up to 200 units but they have also increased the electricity rates for others," Tiwari said.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Vijender Gupta accused the AAP government of announcing free electricity given the upcoming assembly elections.

"AAP government is doing this because the elections are close. They are in a sinking ship. That is why they are announcing freebies like free metro rides for women and free electricity," Gupta said.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari on Thursday claimed that the Delhi government's decision to give free electricity to those consuming up to 200 units was a result of the BJP's efforts.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari on Thursday claimed that the Delhi government's decision to give free electricity to those consuming up to 200 units was a result of the BJP's efforts. "We welcome the move for free electricity, it is the result of BJP's efforts. However, the more important question is that when will Chief Minister Kejriwal return Rs 8,500 crore looted in the name of fixed charges," Tiwari told reporters here. Earlier today, the Arvind Kejriwal government announced free electricity to those consuming up to 200 units and 50 per cent subsidy for those consuming between 201-400 units a month. "This will barely cost Rs 100 crore to the treasury. On one hand, they have announced free electricity to those consuming up to 200 units but they have also increased the electricity rates for others," Tiwari said. Meanwhile, BJP leader Vijender Gupta accused the AAP government of announcing free electricity given the upcoming assembly elections. "AAP government is doing this because the elections are close. They are in a sinking ship. That is why they are announcing freebies like free metro rides for women and free electricity," Gupta said.

Free electricity decision the result of BJP's effort: Manoj Tiwari

Electricity has been restored in all of Caracas and several other regions of Venezuela after a major blackout, the government said Tuesday- the latest taste of misery for a country mired in economic crisis.

The outage that began Monday afternoon triggered gridlock in the capital as traffic lights went dark. Sidewalks teemed with pedestrians walking home after the metro stopped running.

The government blamed sabotage, saying a hydroelectric plant that provides 80 per&nbsp;cent of the country's power had been hit by an "electromagnetic attack."

A nationwide blackout in March lasted a week, accentuating the woes of people in an oil-rich country that now has shortages of food and medicine and such basics as toilet paper and soap.

This time, the lights went out in a dozen hospitals, telephone service was knocked out and faucets ran dry, according to a consumer rights group called the Public Services Observatory.

Stores closed Monday night as the lack of electricity prevented the use of credit and debit cards. They are essential because cash is scarce in inflation-plagued Venezuela.

"I'm hungry, I want to eat, but there is nowhere to use my debit card," said Hernan Montalvo, complaining of not having enough cash to buy a hot dog.

"I'm outraged," Eurimar Guere, 36, told AFP after leaving her office in eastern Caracas.

"Necessary repairs weren't carried out and it's more of the same."

Early Tuesday, the state-run utility Corpoelec said power had been restored in all of Caracas and parts of four other states.&nbsp;

"We are moving toward total restoration of the service," it said on Twitter.

President Nicolas Maduro denounced what he said was a "criminal attack against tranquillity and peace of the homeland," adding that the country's armed forces had been deployed for relief efforts.

- 'Destroyed' electricity system -

The power outage in March affected all 23 states in Venezuela and lasted a week, paralyzing basic services such as the water supply and forcing the workday to be cancelled and school classes to be suspended.

Hospital care was also affected by that incident and another one that came days later.

Opponents of Maduro said at the time that about 20 people died due to problems receiving medical treatment because of the blackout.

Maduro blamed unnamed "terrorists" for that near-nationwide blackout, claiming they had attacked the Guri hydroelectric plant -- the same one that was allegedly targeted this time.

Another huge outage in April left large parts of the country, including Caracas, in darkness, although it lasted hours rather than days.

Blackouts are a common occurrence in Venezuela, especially in remote western regions.

The government usually blames them on sabotage but experts say that a lack of investment, poor management, the emigration of qualified engineers and personnel, and corruption are the more likely culprits.&nbsp;

"They tried to hide the tragedy by rationing throughout the country, but the failure is clear," said opposition leader Juan Guaido on Twitter.

"They've destroyed the electricity system and they don't have any answers."

Venezuela has been mired in a political impasse since January when opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself acting president, quickly receiving the support of more than 50 countries.

The country has been in a deep recession for five years.&nbsp;

Around a quarter of Venezuela's 30-million-strong population are in need of aid, according to the United Nations. Three million people have left the country since the start of 2016.

Electricity has been restored in all of Caracas and several other regions of Venezuela after a major blackout, the government said Tuesday- the latest taste of misery for a country mired in economic crisis.

Electricity has been restored in all of Caracas and several other regions of Venezuela after a major blackout, the government said Tuesday- the latest taste of misery for a country mired in economic crisis. The outage that began Monday afternoon triggered gridlock in the capital as traffic lights went dark. Sidewalks teemed with pedestrians walking home after the metro stopped running. The government blamed sabotage, saying a hydroelectric plant that provides 80 per cent of the country's power had been hit by an "electromagnetic attack." A nationwide blackout in March lasted a week, accentuating the woes of people in an oil-rich country that now has shortages of food and medicine and such basics as toilet paper and soap. This time, the lights went out in a dozen hospitals, telephone service was knocked out and faucets ran dry, according to a consumer rights group called the Public Services Observatory. Stores closed Monday night as the lack of electricity prevented the use of credit and debit cards. They are essential because cash is scarce in inflation-plagued Venezuela. "I'm hungry, I want to eat, but there is nowhere to use my debit card," said Hernan Montalvo, complaining of not having enough cash to buy a hot dog. "I'm outraged," Eurimar Guere, 36, told AFP after leaving her office in eastern Caracas. "Necessary repairs weren't carried out and it's more of the same." Early Tuesday, the state-run utility Corpoelec said power had been restored in all of Caracas and parts of four other states. "We are moving toward total restoration of the service," it said on Twitter. President Nicolas Maduro denounced what he said was a "criminal attack against tranquillity and peace of the homeland," adding that the country's armed forces had been deployed for relief efforts. - 'Destroyed' electricity system - The power outage in March affected all 23 states in Venezuela and lasted a week, paralyzing basic services such as the water supply and forcing the workday to be cancelled and school classes to be suspended. Hospital care was also affected by that incident and another one that came days later. Opponents of Maduro said at the time that about 20 people died due to problems receiving medical treatment because of the blackout. Maduro blamed unnamed "terrorists" for that near-nationwide blackout, claiming they had attacked the Guri hydroelectric plant -- the same one that was allegedly targeted this time. Another huge outage in April left large parts of the country, including Caracas, in darkness, although it lasted hours rather than days. Blackouts are a common occurrence in Venezuela, especially in remote western regions. The government usually blames them on sabotage but experts say that a lack of investment, poor management, the emigration of qualified engineers and personnel, and corruption are the more likely culprits. "They tried to hide the tragedy by rationing throughout the country, but the failure is clear," said opposition leader Juan Guaido on Twitter. "They've destroyed the electricity system and they don't have any answers." Venezuela has been mired in a political impasse since January when opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself acting president, quickly receiving the support of more than 50 countries. The country has been in a deep recession for five years. Around a quarter of Venezuela's 30-million-strong population are in need of aid, according to the United Nations. Three million people have left the country since the start of 2016.

Venezuela limps back to normal after another blackout

The growth of eight core sectors improved marginally to 4.7 per cent in March 2019 against 4.5 per cent in the same month last year.

For the full 2018-19 fiscal, the expansion rate of eight infrastructure sectors - coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity - remained flat at 4.3 per cent, official data released Tuesday showed.

Coal generation growth was flat at 9.1 per cent in March 2019. Natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel and cement sectors recorded positive growth rates.&nbsp;

Crude oil production, however, contracted by 6.2 per cent in March. Electricity generation declined by 1.4 per cent during the month under review.

A fall in production of crude oil and refinery products had dragged the growth of the eight core sectors to 2.1 per cent in February.&nbsp;

The infrastructure sector growth will also have an impact on the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) as these segments account for about 41 per cent of the total factory output.

The growth of eight core sectors improved marginally to 4.7 per cent in March 2019 against 4.5 per cent in the same month last year. For the full 2018-19 fiscal, the expansion rate of eight infrastructure sectors - coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity - remained flat at 4.

The growth of eight core sectors improved marginally to 4.7 per cent in March 2019 against 4.5 per cent in the same month last year. For the full 2018-19 fiscal, the expansion rate of eight infrastructure sectors - coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity - remained flat at 4.3 per cent, official data released Tuesday showed. Coal generation growth was flat at 9.1 per cent in March 2019. Natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel and cement sectors recorded positive growth rates. Crude oil production, however, contracted by 6.2 per cent in March. Electricity generation declined by 1.4 per cent during the month under review. A fall in production of crude oil and refinery products had dragged the growth of the eight core sectors to 2.1 per cent in February. The infrastructure sector growth will also have an impact on the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) as these segments account for about 41 per cent of the total factory output.

Infrastructure sector growth improves to 4.7% in March

India has again missed the chance to become an electricity-surplus nation by a whisker as its peak power deficit stood at 0.8 per cent and the overall energy deficit remained 0.6 per cent in 2018-19.

In its load generation balancing report (LGBR) for 2018-19, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had pegged overall energy and peak power surpluses at 4.6 per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively, indicating that India would be a power-surplus country in the financial year.

In 2017 also, the CEA in its LGBR had projected that India would become a power-surplus nation in 2017-18. But, the peak power deficit was 2.1 per cent, while overall electricity deficit was 0.7 per cent across the country in that financial year.

According to the latest CEA data, during peak hours, as much as 175.52 gigawatt (GW) was supplied against demand of 177.02 GW leaving a deficit of 1.49 GW or 0.8 per cent in 2018-19.

The data showed that as much as 1,267.29 billion units (BUs) of electricity was supplied against the demand of 1,274.56 BUs leaving an overall electricity or energy deficit of 7.35 BUs or 0.6 per cent during 2018-19.

A power sector expert said, "The deficit is primarily due to discoms not being able to buy power. Their total outstanding due was Rs 40,698 crore toward power generators till January this year."

He added that India can be a power-surplus state as its installed power generation capacity is around 356 GW against the peak demand of about 177 GW.

The power generation can be doubled provided distribution companies (discoms) pay their dues promptly.

During March 2019, the overall energy deficit was 0.4 per cent. As much as 108.19 BUs of electricity was supplied against the demand of 108.66 BUs in March. The peak power deficit in the month was 0.4 per cent as 168.74 GW power was supplied against the demand of 169.46 GW.

India has again missed the chance to become an electricity-surplus nation by a whisker as its peak power deficit stood at 0.8 per cent and the overall energy deficit remained 0.

India has again missed the chance to become an electricity-surplus nation by a whisker as its peak power deficit stood at 0.8 per cent and the overall energy deficit remained 0.6 per cent in 2018-19. In its load generation balancing report (LGBR) for 2018-19, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had pegged overall energy and peak power surpluses at 4.6 per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively, indicating that India would be a power-surplus country in the financial year. In 2017 also, the CEA in its LGBR had projected that India would become a power-surplus nation in 2017-18. But, the peak power deficit was 2.1 per cent, while overall electricity deficit was 0.7 per cent across the country in that financial year. According to the latest CEA data, during peak hours, as much as 175.52 gigawatt (GW) was supplied against demand of 177.02 GW leaving a deficit of 1.49 GW or 0.8 per cent in 2018-19. The data showed that as much as 1,267.29 billion units (BUs) of electricity was supplied against the demand of 1,274.56 BUs leaving an overall electricity or energy deficit of 7.35 BUs or 0.6 per cent during 2018-19. A power sector expert said, "The deficit is primarily due to discoms not being able to buy power. Their total outstanding due was Rs 40,698 crore toward power generators till January this year." He added that India can be a power-surplus state as its installed power generation capacity is around 356 GW against the peak demand of about 177 GW. The power generation can be doubled provided distribution companies (discoms) pay their dues promptly. During March 2019, the overall energy deficit was 0.4 per cent. As much as 108.19 BUs of electricity was supplied against the demand of 108.66 BUs in March. The peak power deficit in the month was 0.4 per cent as 168.74 GW power was supplied against the demand of 169.46 GW.

India still not power-surplus nation, says Central Electricity Authority data

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-cuts-workday-extends-school-cancelation-over-blackouts-207070">Nicolas Maduro government</a> on Friday released its schedule for electricity rationing for Venezuela, with the exception of Caracas and three other states, according to which the general public will be without electric power for at least 18 hours per week.

The Electric Energy Ministry and the state-run Corpoelec electricity company designed a schedule dividing 20 of the country's 23 states into five sectors with different rationing schemes with the idea of implementing daily three-hour blackouts six days per week.

According to this plan, on one day per week, each sector will have electricity for the full 24 hours.

The rationing measure specifically excludes the state of Vargas near Caracas where Venezuela's main airport is located, along with the southern state of Amazonas and the northeastern state of Delta Amacuro, border regions far from the capital.

Last Sunday, Maduro announced the launching of the rationing plan slated to last for 30 days but as of Friday, the details of the schedule had not been made public.

The programmed power outages are the government's response to the electricity crisis that has beset the country since March 7, when a series of massive blackouts paralyzed Venezuela for at least 11 days.

The power failures have persisted this past week, particularly in the west, where whole communities have been without electricity for more than 100 hours.

Maduro's leftist government has blamed the United States and Venezuelan opposition for "sabotaging" the power grid claiming that "electromagnetic" attacks and a "long-range" sniper attack have been staged on the main hydroelectric plant and elsewhere.

After the blackouts, the government announced the modernization, intervention in and restructuring of the electric system, which has been managed by the military since 2013, with an eye toward "confronting these attacks" in the future.

The Venezuelan opposition, on the other hand, blames the government for the system's failures, pointing to ineptitude and poor management of the electric sector's resources as the real causes of the outages.

In 2010, the government for the first time decreed a state of emergency in the electric sector and imposed the first electricity rationing, from which it exempted Caracas, which lasted for four months and included cutting power to each citizen for 24 hours per week.

Since then, blackouts have been becoming more frequent, especially in regions like the western state of Zulia, where over the last decade several rationing plans, not to mention unannounced cuts in service, have been implemented.

The Nicolas Maduro government on Friday released its schedule for electricity rationing for Venezuela, with the exception of Caracas and three other states, according to which the general public will be without electric power for at least 18 hours per week.

The Nicolas Maduro government on Friday released its schedule for electricity rationing for Venezuela, with the exception of Caracas and three other states, according to which the general public will be without electric power for at least 18 hours per week. The Electric Energy Ministry and the state-run Corpoelec electricity company designed a schedule dividing 20 of the country's 23 states into five sectors with different rationing schemes with the idea of implementing daily three-hour blackouts six days per week. According to this plan, on one day per week, each sector will have electricity for the full 24 hours. The rationing measure specifically excludes the state of Vargas near Caracas where Venezuela's main airport is located, along with the southern state of Amazonas and the northeastern state of Delta Amacuro, border regions far from the capital. Last Sunday, Maduro announced the launching of the rationing plan slated to last for 30 days but as of Friday, the details of the schedule had not been made public. The programmed power outages are the government's response to the electricity crisis that has beset the country since March 7, when a series of massive blackouts paralyzed Venezuela for at least 11 days. The power failures have persisted this past week, particularly in the west, where whole communities have been without electricity for more than 100 hours. Maduro's leftist government has blamed the United States and Venezuelan opposition for "sabotaging" the power grid claiming that "electromagnetic" attacks and a "long-range" sniper attack have been staged on the main hydroelectric plant and elsewhere. After the blackouts, the government announced the modernization, intervention in and restructuring of the electric system, which has been managed by the military since 2013, with an eye toward "confronting these attacks" in the future. The Venezuelan opposition, on the other hand, blames the government for the system's failures, pointing to ineptitude and poor management of the electric sector's resources as the real causes of the outages. In 2010, the government for the first time decreed a state of emergency in the electric sector and imposed the first electricity rationing, from which it exempted Caracas, which lasted for four months and included cutting power to each citizen for 24 hours per week. Since then, blackouts have been becoming more frequent, especially in regions like the western state of Zulia, where over the last decade several rationing plans, not to mention unannounced cuts in service, have been implemented.

Venezuelan government to cut electricity 18 hours per week

Venezuelan family struggles to survive during power outages

Winter in the state of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/encounter-underway-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-budgam-district-191710&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwib8rfvxf7fAhWBTt8KHTAuC08QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw01ya7bzjOm60jZluP1otxU">Jammu and Kashmir </a>is bone-chilling but the electricity crisis in the state has left the Kashmir Valley in darkness. And the power cuts inevitably grow longer every winter since the power deficiency in the state doesn't seem to improve.&nbsp;

Aroofa is studying in the fourth standard. During the winter vacations, she and her siblings study under candlelight when the power cuts interrupt their studies. This has also been the case with other students preparing for their exams.&nbsp;

"When we come back from tuition and start studying at night, we don't have electricity. We have to light candles to study every day. Our eyes have water when we continuously look at books under candlelight," says Aroofa while studying in her room in Srinagar.&nbsp;

Every winter, the state's demand for electricity grows as its generation of power does down.&nbsp;

Most of the power generated by the state comes from hydel plants but when the rivers dry up in the winter, electricity generation also takes a hit.&nbsp;

The valley then has to buy power from the northern grid to meet its requirements.&nbsp;

This has forced authorities to buy electricity from the northern grid for Rs 6,000 crore. The state has also been unable to bridge commercial losses of almost Rs 3,500 crores. (A recent RTI revealed that bureaucrats and legislators are among the top defaulters.)&nbsp;

"We have a grid capacity of 1,250 megawatts. As of now, we are importing electricity from the northern grid. We are dependent on hydel generation as, during winter, river water dries up, so we don't generate much electricity," says Hashmat Qazi, chief engineer of the Power Development Department,&nbsp;

The eighteenth All India Power Survey projected that power demand in the state will increase from 1,706 megawatts in 2004-2005 &nbsp;to 4,217 megawatts in 2021-22.&nbsp;

For now, the administration has promised to overcome the power crisis (to a large extent) by the year 2020 by upgrading the sector.

Winter in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is bone-chilling but the electricity crisis in the state has left the Kashmir Valley in darkness. And the power cuts inevitably grow longer every winter since the power deficiency in the state doesn't seem to improve.

Winter in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is bone-chilling but the electricity crisis in the state has left the Kashmir Valley in darkness. And the power cuts inevitably grow longer every winter since the power deficiency in the state doesn't seem to improve. Aroofa is studying in the fourth standard. During the winter vacations, she and her siblings study under candlelight when the power cuts interrupt their studies. This has also been the case with other students preparing for their exams. "When we come back from tuition and start studying at night, we don't have electricity. We have to light candles to study every day. Our eyes have water when we continuously look at books under candlelight," says Aroofa while studying in her room in Srinagar. Every winter, the state's demand for electricity grows as its generation of power does down. Most of the power generated by the state comes from hydel plants but when the rivers dry up in the winter, electricity generation also takes a hit. The valley then has to buy power from the northern grid to meet its requirements. This has forced authorities to buy electricity from the northern grid for Rs 6,000 crore. The state has also been unable to bridge commercial losses of almost Rs 3,500 crores. (A recent RTI revealed that bureaucrats and legislators are among the top defaulters.) "We have a grid capacity of 1,250 megawatts. As of now, we are importing electricity from the northern grid. We are dependent on hydel generation as, during winter, river water dries up, so we don't generate much electricity," says Hashmat Qazi, chief engineer of the Power Development Department, The eighteenth All India Power Survey projected that power demand in the state will increase from 1,706 megawatts in 2004-2005 to 4,217 megawatts in 2021-22. For now, the administration has promised to overcome the power crisis (to a large extent) by the year 2020 by upgrading the sector.

J&K electricity crisis: As power cuts get longer each year, outrage grows

Maharashtra Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule Friday said the state government has directed the MERC to look into the issue of 'increased' electricity bills of Adani Electricity's consumers in Mumbai.

He was speaking to reporters outside the city airport.

"The government has asked the Maharashtra Electricity Regulation (MERC) to sou moto look into the issue raised by BJP leader Ashish Shelar about complaints on high electricity bills based on average energy consumption instead of actual metering in Mumbai," he said.

"Accordingly, the MERC has taken cognisance and given directions to check the complaints and correct the bills," the minister added.

Local MLA Ashish Shelar had met Chief Minister Devendra last Fadnavis Saturday to convey people's concerns over sudden and steep increase in power bills in suburban Mumbai, where Adani Electricity is the electricity distributor.

Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited is a subsidiary of Adani Transmission, formed after acquisition of Reliance Infrastructure's generation, transmission and distribution utilities in Mumbai.

The MERC has appointed a two-member fact-finding committee to look into consumer complaints to ascertain the reasons for the sudden upsurge in consumption as well as bills of Adani Electricity's consumers in the megapolis.&nbsp;

Maharashtra Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule Friday said the state government has directed the MERC to look into the issue of 'increased' electricity bills of Adani Electricity's consumers in Mumbai.

Maharashtra Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule Friday said the state government has directed the MERC to look into the issue of 'increased' electricity bills of Adani Electricity's consumers in Mumbai. He was speaking to reporters outside the city airport. "The government has asked the Maharashtra Electricity Regulation (MERC) to sou moto look into the issue raised by BJP leader Ashish Shelar about complaints on high electricity bills based on average energy consumption instead of actual metering in Mumbai," he said. "Accordingly, the MERC has taken cognisance and given directions to check the complaints and correct the bills," the minister added. Local MLA Ashish Shelar had met Chief Minister Devendra last Fadnavis Saturday to convey people's concerns over sudden and steep increase in power bills in suburban Mumbai, where Adani Electricity is the electricity distributor. Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited is a subsidiary of Adani Transmission, formed after acquisition of Reliance Infrastructure's generation, transmission and distribution utilities in Mumbai. The MERC has appointed a two-member fact-finding committee to look into consumer complaints to ascertain the reasons for the sudden upsurge in consumption as well as bills of Adani Electricity's consumers in the megapolis.

MERC asked to look into Adani power bills issue: Minister

After living in the dark for 13 years, the electricity facility has reached&nbsp;Jagargunda&nbsp;village in&nbsp;Chhattisgarh.

The&nbsp;Jagargunda&nbsp;village where electricity facility has been restored falls under the Naxal-affected district of&nbsp;Dantewada.

The village has a total population of approximately 898 people and there are about 199 houses in the village.

Reportedly on May 26, Leisang village in&nbsp;Manipur&nbsp;became the last village of the country to be added to the national power grid.

On May 29,&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;took to Twitter and said, "28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village of India now has access to electricity."

Recently, a remote tribal village in&nbsp;Amravati’s Bulumgavhan in&nbsp;Maharashtra&nbsp;was electrified after 70 years of independence.

The Jagargunda village where electricity facility has been restored falls under the Naxal-affected district of Dantewada

After living in the dark for 13 years, the electricity facility has reached Jagargunda village in Chhattisgarh. The Jagargunda village where electricity facility has been restored falls under the Naxal-affected district of Dantewada. The village has a total population of approximately 898 people and there are about 199 houses in the village. Reportedly on May 26, Leisang village in Manipur became the last village of the country to be added to the national power grid. On May 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and said, "28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village of India now has access to electricity." Recently, a remote tribal village in Amravati’s Bulumgavhan in Maharashtra was electrified after 70 years of independence.

Chhattisgarh: Jagargunda village gets electricity after 13 years

The growth of eight core sectors slowed to 3-month low of 4.1 per cent in March due to weak performance in as many as six sectors including coal, crude oil and natural gas. 
 
The other sectors which showed slower growth rate were refinery products, steel and electricity. 
 
The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors, which also include fertilisers and cement, was 5.2 per cent in March 2017, according to the data released by the commerce and industry ministry today. 
 
The previous low was in the core sectors was 3.8 per cent in December 2017. 
 
Cumulatively, the eight core sectors grew by 4.2 per cent in 2017-18, lowest in the last three financial years. Their rate of growth was 4.8 per cent in the previous fiscal and 3 per cent in 2015-16.

The&nbsp;core sector&nbsp;would have an impact on the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data as these eight segments account for about 41 per cent of the total factory output. 
 
Output growth rate of only fertliser and cement reported healthy numbers. Both the sectors grew by 3.2 per cent and 13 per cent respectively in March.

On the other hand, coal, natural gas, refinery products and steel production growth slowed to 9.1 per cent (as against 10.6 per cent in March 2017), 1.3 per cent, 1 per cent, 4.7 per cent (as against 11 per cent a year ago) respectively during the month under review. 
 
Electricity generation growth rate too decelerated to 4.5 per cent as against 6.2 per cent in March 2017. 
 
Crude oil recorded a negative rate of growth of 1.6 per cent in March this year.

Cumulatively, the eight core sectors grew by 4.2 per cent in 2017-18, lowest in the last three financial years. Their rate of growth was 4.8 per cent in the previous fiscal

The growth of eight core sectors slowed to 3-month low of 4.1 per cent in March due to weak performance in as many as six sectors including coal, crude oil and natural gas. The other sectors which showed slower growth rate were refinery products, steel and electricity. The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors, which also include fertilisers and cement, was 5.2 per cent in March 2017, according to the data released by the commerce and industry ministry today. The previous low was in the core sectors was 3.8 per cent in December 2017. Cumulatively, the eight core sectors grew by 4.2 per cent in 2017-18, lowest in the last three financial years. Their rate of growth was 4.8 per cent in the previous fiscal and 3 per cent in 2015-16. The core sector would have an impact on the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data as these eight segments account for about 41 per cent of the total factory output. Output growth rate of only fertliser and cement reported healthy numbers. Both the sectors grew by 3.2 per cent and 13 per cent respectively in March. On the other hand, coal, natural gas, refinery products and steel production growth slowed to 9.1 per cent (as against 10.6 per cent in March 2017), 1.3 per cent, 1 per cent, 4.7 per cent (as against 11 per cent a year ago) respectively during the month under review. Electricity generation growth rate too decelerated to 4.5 per cent as against 6.2 per cent in March 2017. Crude oil recorded a negative rate of growth of 1.6 per cent in March this year.

Core sector growth rate slowed to 3-month low of 4.1% in March

The government said Monday that every Indian home will be electrified by the end of the year.

The government had on Saturday said that every <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/every-village-now-has-access-to-electricity-pm-modi-tweeted-as-electricity-reached-all-villages-on-saturday-133539">inhabited Indian village is now electrified</a>.&nbsp;

"28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village in India now has access to electricity," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted then.&nbsp;

A village is considered electrified when at least 10 per cent of its homes receive electricity supply, as do its&nbsp;public areas.

Which is why, even though ever Indian village is now electrified, as many as 31 million Indian households still do not have electricity supply.&nbsp;

"This is a huge success (the electrification of every village). We achieved it 13 days ahead of the deadline," Power Minister RK Singh said on Monday.&nbsp;

He added that the next target — that of electrifying every single Indian home — would be achieved by the end of the year.&nbsp;

"Now our next aim is to electrify each household in the country, which will be done by December 31, 2018," Singh said.&nbsp;

Manipur's Leisang&nbsp;was the last village to be brought onto the national power grid on Saturday. It was electrified at 5.30 pm Saturday evening.&nbsp;

According to official government data, India has 597,464 villages, all of which have now been electrified.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Reports suggest there were over 18,000 villages with no electricity supply at the time when the NDA's Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) was launched in 2015.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Leisang, last village to be electrified under the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana. As per GoI, out of 18,452 villages in India that were power deprived 3 yrs ago, 17,181 have been electrified. Others are uninhabited or classified as grazing reserves <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Manipur?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Manipur</a> <a href="https://t.co/JoqQiSjFSP">pic.twitter.com/JoqQiSjFSP</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/990942375563415552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

'Now our next aim is to electrify each household in the country, which will be done by December 31, 2018,' Power Minister RK Singh said

The government said Monday that every Indian home will be electrified by the end of the year. The government had on Saturday said that every inhabited Indian village is now electrified. "28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village in India now has access to electricity," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted then. A village is considered electrified when at least 10 per cent of its homes receive electricity supply, as do its public areas. Which is why, even though ever Indian village is now electrified, as many as 31 million Indian households still do not have electricity supply. "This is a huge success (the electrification of every village). We achieved it 13 days ahead of the deadline," Power Minister RK Singh said on Monday. He added that the next target — that of electrifying every single Indian home — would be achieved by the end of the year. "Now our next aim is to electrify each household in the country, which will be done by December 31, 2018," Singh said. Manipur's Leisang was the last village to be brought onto the national power grid on Saturday. It was electrified at 5.30 pm Saturday evening. According to official government data, India has 597,464 villages, all of which have now been electrified. Reports suggest there were over 18,000 villages with no electricity supply at the time when the NDA's Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) was launched in 2015. #Visuals from Leisang, last village to be electrified under the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana. As per GoI, out of 18,452 villages in India that were power deprived 3 yrs ago, 17,181 have been electrified. Others are uninhabited or classified as grazing reserves #Manipur pic.twitter.com/JoqQiSjFSP — ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2018 ×

Every Indian home will be electrified by the end of the year: Government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter earlier today to share that on Saturday his government achieved complete electricity supply to all villages in the country.&nbsp;

"28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village in India now has access to electricity," read the Prime Minister's tweet.&nbsp;

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28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village of India now has access to electricity.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/990455176581517312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Manipur's Leisang village was the last one to be brought on the national power grid on Saturday. It was electrified at 5.30pm last evening. The last village to get off-grid electricity access was Manipur's Pakol.

According to official government data, India has 597,464 villages all of which were given electricity supply by last evening.&nbsp;

As per government data, all of India’s 597,464 census villages have now been electrified. Reports suggest there were over 18,000 villages with no electricity supply at the time when NDA's Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) was launched in the year 2015.

Manipur's Leisang village was the last one to be brought on the national power grid yesterday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter earlier today to share that on Saturday his government achieved complete electricity supply to all villages in the country. "28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village in India now has access to electricity," read the Prime Minister's tweet. 28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village of India now has access to electricity. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2018 × Manipur's Leisang village was the last one to be brought on the national power grid on Saturday. It was electrified at 5.30pm last evening. The last village to get off-grid electricity access was Manipur's Pakol. According to official government data, India has 597,464 villages all of which were given electricity supply by last evening. As per government data, all of India’s 597,464 census villages have now been electrified. Reports suggest there were over 18,000 villages with no electricity supply at the time when NDA's Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) was launched in the year 2015.

'Historic day,' tweets Modi as electricity reaches all Indian villages

The Elephanta Island, home to the famous Elephanta Caves, finally gets electricity on Thursday, after a wait of 70 years.&nbsp;

A 7.5-km long undersea cable has finally brought electricity to the world-famous Gharapuri Isle, which houses the UNESCO World Heritage site Elephanta Caves, about 10-km from Mumbai, a top official said.&nbsp;

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Electricity connection made accessible to Elephanta Island after 70 years of Independence; a 7.5 km long undersea cable brought electricity to three villages- Raj Bander, Mora Bander &amp; Shet Bander <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://t.co/95SfooC7PD">pic.twitter.com/95SfooC7PD</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966848220990078976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The project to electrify the island, thronged daily by thousands of Indian and foreign tourists, has cost a total of Rs 25 crore and was completed in 15 months.

&quot;Elephanta caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and yet it took so many years for electricity to reach the island,&quot; said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Gharapuri Island, a UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site, is an important tourist destination of the country.&nbsp;

It comes under the jurisdiction of Tourism Development Corporation, and earlier the electricity was supplied through the diesel generator on the island.&nbsp;

The project to electrify the island, thronged daily by thousands of Indian and foreign tourists, has cost a total of Rs 25 crore and was completed in 15 months

The Elephanta Island, home to the famous Elephanta Caves, finally gets electricity on Thursday, after a wait of 70 years. A 7.5-km long undersea cable has finally brought electricity to the world-famous Gharapuri Isle, which houses the UNESCO World Heritage site Elephanta Caves, about 10-km from Mumbai, a top official said. Electricity connection made accessible to Elephanta Island after 70 years of Independence; a 7.5 km long undersea cable brought electricity to three villages- Raj Bander, Mora Bander & Shet Bander #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/95SfooC7PD — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018 × The project to electrify the island, thronged daily by thousands of Indian and foreign tourists, has cost a total of Rs 25 crore and was completed in 15 months. "Elephanta caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and yet it took so many years for electricity to reach the island," said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Gharapuri Island, a UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site, is an important tourist destination of the country. It comes under the jurisdiction of Tourism Development Corporation, and earlier the electricity was supplied through the diesel generator on the island.

70 years after Independence power reaches Elephanta Caves 

<div lang="EN-US" paraeid="{fc0c6d87-184c-45ce-bacb-2741137430da}{15}" paraid="2055424481" >Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday named electricity minister Imad Khamis as the new prime minister of the war-ravaged country.&nbsp; 
 
Assad tasked Khamis with forming a new government, the official news agency SANA reported.&nbsp; 
He is to submit his proposal for new ministerial appointments in the coming days.&nbsp; 
 
The fifty-four-year-old engineer replaces Wael al-Halqi who had held the post since August 2012.&nbsp; 
 
The changes come two months after Assad&#39;s Baath party and its allies won a majority of seats in parliamentary elections dismissed internationally as a sham.&nbsp; 
 
Khamis had served as Syria&#39;s minister of electricity since 2011 and is an electrical engineer by trade.&nbsp; 
 
Since March 2012, he has been sanctioned by the European Union, which accuses him of sharing &quot;responsibility for the regime&#39;s violent repression against the civilian population.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Syria&#39;s conflict began in 2011 with widespread protests demanding reform but has since escalated into a bloody civil war that has left 280,000 dead.&nbsp; 
 
According to the government, production of electricity has more than halved since the beginning of the crisis.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
(AFP)&nbsp;</div>

Electricity minister Imad Khamis has been sanctioned by EU since March 2012 for sharing responsibility for violent repression of civilians

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday named electricity minister Imad Khamis as the new prime minister of the war-ravaged country. Assad tasked Khamis with forming a new government, the official news agency SANA reported. He is to submit his proposal for new ministerial appointments in the coming days. The fifty-four-year-old engineer replaces Wael al-Halqi who had held the post since August 2012. The changes come two months after Assad's Baath party and its allies won a majority of seats in parliamentary elections dismissed internationally as a sham. Khamis had served as Syria's minister of electricity since 2011 and is an electrical engineer by trade. Since March 2012, he has been sanctioned by the European Union, which accuses him of sharing "responsibility for the regime's violent repression against the civilian population." Syria's conflict began in 2011 with widespread protests demanding reform but has since escalated into a bloody civil war that has left 280,000 dead. According to the government, production of electricity has more than halved since the beginning of the crisis. (AFP)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad names new PM for Syria

electricity

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