Thiruvananthapuram,19 September (H.S.): Union Minister Suresh Gopi has declined to criticise the UDF government over Kerala's electricity crisis, saying the present administration should not be held solely responsible for the situation.
Speaking to reporters, Suresh Gopi said previous governments also shared responsibility for the circumstances that had pushed the state into the current power shortage. He maintained that it was too early to blame the incumbent government and said it should be given sufficient time to tackle the crisis.
When asked why Kerala had not witnessed a similar situation during the past 10 years, the Union Minister said any assessment should also examine what had happened throughout that period. He accused sections of the media of attempting to provoke him into attacking the government and alleged that questions framed solely to elicit criticism reflected an ulterior motive.
Meanwhile, electricity consumption in Kerala remained high on Friday, although overall power availability improved comparatively, according to the Kerala State Electricity Board. The utility said demand declined by nearly 150 megawatts, easing pressure on the state's electricity network.
An improvement in grid frequency also increased the availability of electricity from the grid. These favourable conditions enabled the board to avoid imposing power restrictions on Friday, offering temporary relief to consumers concerned about possible supply curbs.
However, the continuing imbalance between demand and supply remains a concern as consumption stays at an elevated level. The state has been examining additional power purchases and other measures to maintain uninterrupted supply.
The KSEB said it was closely monitoring daily demand, grid conditions and electricity availability from different sources. The board has urged consumers to use electricity carefully, particularly during peak evening hours, until the situation stabilises. Any decision on future restrictions will depend on consumption levels and the quantity of power available to Kerala in the coming days.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman