PM Modi's '9 PM- 9 Mins' Appeal: Odisha energy Dept issues guidelines to be followed

Amid rumours of blackout on Sunday after PM Modi appealed citizens to light candles, diyas, and switch off bulbs on Sunday at 9PM for 9 minutes, Department of Energy in Odisha has issued guidelines. It has urged people to follow steps while observing PM Modi's 9 minutes- 9 PM call. department said that residential or Housing Society should t switch on/off ir supply at feeder. y should t switch off fans, ACs, etc. and all lights should t be switched on/off at once.

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Power ministry refutes blackout claim

Refuting claims of Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut on Friday that switching off lights can le to a grid failure and affect emergency services, Ministry of Power on Saturday stated that apprehensions of grid failure and volt fluctuation are misplaced. 

" call to switch off street lights or appliances at homes. Only lights should be switched off. lights in hospitals and or essential services will remain on. Local bodies have been vised to keep street lights on for public safety," ANI quoted Power Ministry. 

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Earlier on Friday, Maharashtra Energy Minister h stated that switching off all lights at a particular moment might le to a potential blackout as it would affect demand and supply at very instance. He stated that it might even take up to 12-16 hours to restore services as demand has alrey decreased from 23,000 megawatts to 13,000 megawatts since factory units are t operating.

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PM Modi's appeal

PM Modi, in an dress to nation on Friday, appealed to citizens to switch off lights in ir homes for nine minutes on April 5 at 9 pm in order to show nation's unity in fight against coronavirus pandemic. PM Modi in his third COVID-19 speech said, "On Sunday, April 5, we must challenge Coronavirus & introduce it to power of light; 1.3 billion people must show ir united power, at 9 pm for 9 minutes, by turning off all lights at home, standing at balconies, & lighting diyas, candles, flashlights."  In his appeal, PM Modi reiterated people to maintain social distancing and keep off from streets. Currently, India has reported 2902 COVID-19 cases  with 68 deaths till date.

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