Bengal Governor observes 'power cut' amid criticism

West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi on Wednesday observed a voluntary two-hour power cut in his bid to share the inconvenience faced by Kolkata residents due to daily load shedding

Kolkata: West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi on Wednesday observed a voluntary two-hour power cut in his bid to share the inconvenience faced by Kolkata residents due to daily load shedding. "Raj Bhavan's power supply was stopped from 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm and 6-7 pm," Gandhi's media spokesperson Dhruba Gupta told.

"Initially, it was decided that Gandhi will observe the power cut from 7-9 pm, but he changed his schedule for unknown reasons," he said.

"In the first phase of the power cut, the Governor was outside Raj Bhavan for official work. The employees present inside did their work in daylight. In the evening, Gandhi spent the one-hour of darkness in the balcony of his suite," Gupta added.

Gandhi's decision to opt for daily power cuts drew criticism from state Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee, though there were politicians who appreciated his move.

"I don't understand how Gandhi's two-hour self-imposed darkness will contribute in producing electricity. We are already working on the power cut hazards. The situation is taking a favourable turn. Now Gandhi's publicity stunt will send a wrong message to the public," said Banerjee.

But state Transport, Sports and Youth Services Minister Subhas Chakraborty was appreciative of the Governor's move. "Gandhi's decision is a personal one. No one has the right to interfere in his decision. If he manages to bring out some changes in the electric supply scenario of the city through this, we must support him," he said.

Raj Bhavan enjoys uninterrupted supply of electricity through a dedicated feeder line provided by the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) and has never suffered major power cuts.

CESC officials said the power line at Raj Bhavan is proofed against load-shedding and is capable of taking a load of 700 kilowatts compared to a two-kilowatt load capacity line of a two-bedroom flat. (IANS)

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