The new power minister Veerappa moily on Wednesday dismissed that overloading or over withdrawal of power lead to tripping off three grids – North, East and North-east. He said it was a ‘layman’s understanding of the problem and there were many factors responsible for the tripping. He refused to elaborate on the factors and said that the committee appointed to look into the issue will find out. He was addressing a press conference in New Delhi.

Power secretary P Uma Shankar supported Moily’s contention and said the problem was far more complex than what is being made out. Moily has in the meanwhile called two meetings on August 6 with the state governments to deliberate on the issue. The first round of the meeting will be held with the chief secretaries and power secretaries of the states. The second round will be with the chief ministers of eight states and one union territory which were plunged into darkness because of the grid failure on August 30 and 31.

Moily also held a brainstorming session with his officials and worked out a detailed plan of action. Some of these are as follows :
•    Improve transfer capabilities
•    Impose safety and security measure that the power grids need
•    Persuade states to maintain discipline regarding withdrawal of power
•    Imposition of congestion charges and overdrawing charges
•    Incentivise states to use latest technologies and train manpower to handle
•    Improve fuel supply by working out bankable fuel supply agreement (FSA)
•    Provide funds to state electricity boards and distribution companies who are under financial stress
•    Separating supplies to agriculture, mining, domestic consumers and essential services
•    Set up special police station to check transmission and distribution losses which stand on an average at 26 to 28% and varies from 12% to 40% in states.

The power secretary said the ministry is looking at technical solutions like smart grid to prevent recurrence.