The Central government is considering allocating 300 MW of additional power to Tamil Nadu from the Central Grid and a proposal to this effect has been placed with the Ministry of Power. This is to help out the State steeped in power crisis, said the Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, V. Narayanasamy, here on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to the district here, Mr. Narayanasamy also sought an enhanced allocation of 100 MW for Puducherry on commissioning of the Kudankulam atomic power plant. The initial agreement envisaged a 67-MW power allocation for Puducherry. However, as an MP representing the Union Territory, he was bound to seek an enhanced allocation for Puducherry.
Expressing hopes of early commissioning of the plant, the Minister said the first unit of atomic reactor would be commissioned in 45 days and the second unit in two months from now.
On Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha's criticism of the visit of the MPs' delegation to Sri Lanka as an eyewash, Mr. Narayanasamy said the AIADMK leader was entitled to airing her opinion and that the delegation led by Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj would accomplish its purported mandate.
Flays Puducherry Government
Coming down on the Puducherry Government, Mr. Narayanasamy alleged that the law and order situation was abysmal, and that the Goondas Act brought under enforcement by the earlier Congress government was deliberately shelved.
The Rangasamy-led government had returned unspent Central funds of Rs.1, 190 crore, granted under the Planning Commission, but harped on lack of grants from the Centre, Mr. Narayanasamy said.
The Puducherry government was also deliberately stalling the conduct of panchayat elections.
