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A release issued by Gandhi’s press secretary said: “Raj Bhavan will observe a voluntary two-hour power cut beginning tomorrow, May 7. The Governor feels Raj Bhavan need not be an exception when the entire city is suffering due to the staggered power supply. The decision will be reviewed as and when necessary.”
According to Raj Bhavan officials, the powercut is likely to take place in the evenings — considered the peak hours when the demand is highest.
During peak hours, from 6 pm to 11 pm, the demand for power in Kolkata stands at 1,500 to 1700 mega watt and the shortfall stands at 500 MW on an average.
CPM reacts
The CPM was quick to react to the Governor’s decision. Shyamal Chakrabarti, a CPM Rajya Sabha member and CITU state president, said: “It is a pioneering decision. But he should take similar steps in other areas also. There has been a huge price hike. Why doesn’t the Governor start skipping a meal? He can also ask his staff to eat only once a day. There is an oil crisis also. While going to inaugurate functions, he should walk at least 10 miles to save fuel. Raj Bhavan has huge space. Why doesn’t he allow slum children to stay there.” Benoy Konar of the CPM had earlier asked the Governor to join the Trinamool Congress after Gandhi criticised the state statement following the March 14, 2007, firing incident in which 14 people had been killed.
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