Key Facts
Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd (RVPNL) has suspended an assistant engineer and an electrician, and issued a charge-sheet to a superintending engineer following a power outage that disrupted Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's press conference at the BJP headquarters in Jaipur on June 11, 2026.
Details of the Incident
During the press conference, electricity supply was disrupted three times, forcing the minister to address reporters in darkness for approximately 10 minutes. The outage was caused by tripping at the 400 KV grid sub-station in Heerapura, Jaipur.
Action Taken
- Suspension: Assistant engineer Vipin Verma and electrician Babu Singh, both posted at the Heerapura sub-station, have been suspended with immediate effect.
- Charge-sheet: Superintending engineer R P Gupta has been issued a charge-sheet and asked to explain his role in the incident.
The disciplinary action was based on the findings of a three-member committee appointed by Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar. The committee's report highlighted lapses in the handling of power infrastructure that led to the disruption.
Impact and Response
The power department and the state government faced criticism after the incident. The swift action by RVPNL underscores the seriousness with which the authorities view such failures, especially during high-profile events.
What Readers Should Know
This incident highlights the importance of reliable power infrastructure for public events. The suspension and charge-sheet serve as a deterrent against negligence in maintaining critical grid systems.
FAQ
Why were the employees suspended?
They were suspended for negligence after an inquiry found lapses in handling power infrastructure that led to a disruption during Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's press conference.
How long was the power cut during the press conference?
The power supply was disrupted three times, leaving the minister to speak in darkness for about 10 minutes.
Who ordered the inquiry?
Rajasthan Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar appointed a three-member committee to investigate the incident.