Bahanaga: Odisha Energy Minister Pratap Keshari Deb, who is under attack from different quarters over frequent power outages across the state, was at an event at Bahanaga in Balasore district to pay homage to the victims of the recent triple train accident.
Apart from the Minister, local MLA and a host of other dignitaries were present at the all-faith prayer meet held at Bahanaga on Monday when power supply got snapped all of a sudden.
The power outage at the Energy Minister’s event occurred at a time when the entire state is under the grip of scorching heat coupled with unbearable humidity.
No one could figure out as to how electricity supply was disrupted. Power supply was restored only after around 30 minutes. While electricity back up was arranged with a power generator, normal supply was restored later.
When asked about the power outage, the Minister skipped queries from media.
Following the incident, locals raised questions over Pratap Deb’s claims that no power cut takes place in the state except during thunderstorm or lightning. However, the Minister’s event witnessed power outage when the weather was clear and there was no storm in the area, they pointed out.
In another development over the power outage issue, activists of the student wing of Odisha Congress staged a demonstration in front of the official residence of the Energy Minister in Bhubaneswar on Monday protesting frequent disruptions in electricity supply across the state.
Demanding resignation of the Minister over the issue, the demonstrators lashed out at Deb accusing him of being responsible for making life miserable for the people due to frequent disruptions in power supply.
