PARLI (BEED), April 25: The ongoing 71st Literary Conference at Parli in Beed district of Maharashtra was thrown into disarray as power supply to the specially erected pandals was cut off until late in the evening following heavy unseasonal rains. However, power supply was restored by 9.30 pm, enabling the organisers to hold at least some of the programmes earmarked for the day.As if the chaos created by Friday's railway accident which claimed 24 lives at Parli was not enough, the unexpected showers took the organisers by surprise and the entire area was engulfed in darkness.The rains, accompanied by gusty winds damaged a large portion of the main pandal making it difficult for the people to sit in it and forced the organisers to suspend the discussions on literature.
The book fair and the exhibition hall, which were more or less in the open, were also damaged, and the authorities had to literally rush to get plastic sheets to prevent the books from getting wet.
Till late in the evening, chances ofconducting the programmes scheduled for the day looked grim, as authorities said that the power supply, which was deliberately cut off to prevent any short circuits, would be restored only when the pandals had dried up and all electric points were thoroughly checked.
Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, who also handles the Energy portfolio, had taken time off from the conference to inaugurate a Maha-Expo in Aurangabad.
He was not available for comments.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
