India should not suffer grid collapse: Deveshwar

Kolkata, Aug 1 (IANS) ITC chairman Y.C. Deveshwar said Wednesday India should not suffer a transmission grid collapse like the one witnessed a day ago.

"We should not have this because we need growth, and energy is very important. That goes without saying," Deveshwar told reporters here.

A massive power outage Tuesday afternoon - the second successive day of a blackout - had crippled life across 19 states.

Asked what the priority area for new Finance Minister P. Chidambaram would be, Deveshwar said it would be to put the country back on the growth path.

The growth would have to be sustainable and inclusive, he observed.

Chidambaram Wednesday took charge of the finance ministry after a gap of nearly four years.