Weather clearance

Among other things, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to inaugurate the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) in Varanasi on Sunday. But, as reported widely, he had to cancel the trip due to heavy rain, which he duly posted on Twitter. A slew of executives from public-sector power companies, who flew to Varanasi for the event, had to return empty-handed. To make light of the situation, Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal said the next time the government organised an event of such scale, it would consult the India Meteorological Department for clearance. The press release from the information office of the power ministry said the same: "The new date for the launch of IPDS will be decided shortly, in consultation with the meteorological department."