The resurgent economy's seemingly insatiable hunger for power strains the already fatigued electricity utilities. So much so that alternating spells of darkness and light become almost as frequent as day and night. I ndia's aspiration to emerge as an economic superpower in the 21st century, on the back of the infotech industry's global-scale success, suddenly seems laughable. The government is keen to defuse the crisis. I've directed the officials to ensure that state grids function within the parameters set by the Centre.
States ought to distinguish grid from greed.
Prabhu's determination is understandable because the Opposition has been castigating the government for mishandling the power sector. Congress spokesman Privthiraj Chauhan says Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit met Prabhu a few days before the January 2 blackout and alerted him to the impending crisis. And yet, nothing was done. Erring states are going scot-free. Slowly the enthusiasm dies out and everyone forgets about it.