Successive grid collapses in three regions on Tuesday were described as the country’s worst power crisis. Large parts of the country faced blackouts for prolonged duration as authorities grappled to restore the Northern, Eastern and the North Eastern grids.
After the grid collapse, the outgoing Union Power Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, blamed grid code violation by several States for throwing the power system into disarray.
Hours after more than 20 States had their power supply snapped, Mr. Shinde said work to restore the supply was being carried out on a war-footing. A little before he was announced as the new Home Minister, Mr. Shinde issued a warning to the States violating the grid code and said penal action would be taken against those who continued to over draw electricity.
However, Veerappa Moily, who was given additional charge of the Power Ministry, said a blame-game could not be started with the States, and the Ministry had to keep in touch with the development of the country.