In spite of the Energy minister’s claims that there are no power cuts in Odisha and power outages are on account of rain, thunderstorms or repair works, the fact remains, the energy department has miserably failed to provide uninterrupted power supply to the people of Odisha this summer.
This was evident in Brajarajnagar under Jharsuguda district where a power outage marred a public programme attended by ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA, Alka Mohanty on Sunday evening.
As per reports, Mohanty was in Jharsuguda to inaugurate two projects in her Constituency. However, the power went out when she was on the stage just after the inauguration.
She somehow managed to keep her calm while others helped her out by flashing mobile phone torch lights.
The power was restored after ten minutes following which she left the venue.
Power outages have become so regular and so frequent that people in rural Odisha have taken to the streets. Even VIP and VVIP programmes have witnessed power outages in Odisha. Recently, Odisha was ‘embarrassed’ after failing to provide uninterrupted power even during President Droupadi Murmu’s programme in Baripada.
Interestingly, Energy Minister, Pratap Deb who has many times claimed that power outages happen in Odisha only when there is thunderstorm or heavy rains, faced a power outage in his programme as well.
Deb found himself in a fix after the power went out during an event attended by him in Balasore district on June 12.