The residents of Sankarankoil constituency, where a by-election is scheduled for March 18, are the happiest lot, enjoying round-the-clock power supply since last Saturday, even as other parts of the State are reeling under power cuts.
Prior to the by-poll notification, Sankarankoil was experiencing power cut for about eight hours a day, which almost strangulated the power loom industry at a time when it was gradually limping back to normal functioning after a month-long strike demanding upward revision of wages.
However, the by-poll notification changed the situation drastically. While eight-hour-long load-shedding was clamped on other parts of Tirunelveli district, Sankarankoil experienced only three-hour-long cut.
Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar, during his interaction with the media here, had made it clear that no special treatment could be given to the constituency.
“Earlier, we were also experiencing power cut for about eight hours a day. Now, there is no blackout in our area since Saturday. I don't know if our happiness will be short-lived or sustain after March 18,” said a teacher from Thiruvenkatam.
A senior Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) official said power supply in Sankarankoil area was being maintained to ensure unhindered poll-related work. “Moreover, we are getting some additional generation from windmills in this region for the past few days and hence there is no question of extending special treatment to Sankarankoil alone.”
