'There will be no power cuts during Pujas'

Kolkata: State Power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhay assured that there will be no power cuts during the Pujas more particularly in the flood-affected North Bengal.

He said that flood had greatly affected the power distribution system in North Bengal as many of the power units remained submerged for a long period of time. But the situation has now become normal with all the power units now functioning.

The minister said that video conferences were performed with the various Central and state agencies and departments and also with the district administrative officials. The officers of the state Power department have been asked to go to the spot and personally visit the spots if there is any complaint relating to the power supply from any particular area.

"A series of video conferences have been done giving certain instructions to the Power department officers in the districts. There will be uninterrupted power supply in all the areas during Pujas. Adequate measures have been taken to meet the high demands of power during the Puja days," Chattopadhay said.

He was speaking on the sideline of a workshop organised by the WBSEB Employees and Workers Union at Vidyut Bhavan on Monday. Earlier in the programme, while delivering his lecture to the employees of the Power department, the minister stressed on the importance of following discipline and urged the employees to love the organisation and serve the people in a better way.

The minister also urged the employees not to indulge in corrupt practices. He also stressed on the work culture which that had gone for a toss during the Left Front regime.

The Power department employees have to set their own target which they achieve. The demand of power has increased in the state. With the demand of power going up, the production has also been increased. Industrial power consumption has also increased, Chattopadhay maintained.

He also pointed out that with Infosys coming to city, around 1,000 people will be employed. The state government has given land to Infosys. The stage is set for the other companies to come to the state. He said that more job opportunities will be created in the state with the influx of industries.

Chattopadhay, who was earlier a trade union leader, on Monday declared Sujit Bose as the president of WBSEB Employees and Workers Union (INTTUC).