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Jayalalithaa says corruption main reason for fall in power generation
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday promised steps to increase power generation by 5,000 MW, as mentioned in her party's election manifesto, but ruled out any revision of power tariff.
“Large-scale corruption in the TNEB [Tamil Nadu Electricity Board], especially in import of substandard coal, was one of the main reasons for fall in power generation,” she told a news conference at the Secretariat. Replying to a question, she said there was also a charge that power generation was drastically cut down in order to purchase electricity from private companies at exorbitant rates so that those in power received hefty commissions.
The previous government's lack of planning also led to a fall in power generation, she said. Of the different thermal units, one or the other had to be closed down for maintenance and the shutdown had to be staggered. There should not be a situation where all thermal units were shut down for maintenance. There was no planning and no organisation (in the previous government) and for many days there was no production at major thermal power stations that led to a fall in production.
No power cut then
Recalling that there was no power cut at all in her previous regime during 2001-06, she said customers were supplied quality, uninterrupted power round-the-clock then. At that time, the installed capacity was 10,111 MW. The State was producing power to the full installed capacity and was supplying surplus power to others, earning revenue as well.
Everything changed drastically after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam formed the government, she said. Wrong management was the main reason for the fall in power generation.
Promising to root out corruption and meet the target of 5,000 MW as fast as possible, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the State would also try to exceed the target.
Asked whether the mounting debt burden of the TNEB would result in revision of power tariff, she said: “We are yet to examine all this. However, whatever the situation, we will not increase the burden on the people.”
To questions on continuation of the DMK government's schemes, the State's finances, the merger of Anna Universities of Technology and the fate of new Assembly complex, the Chief Minister said the answers could be found in the Governor's Address to be presented in the Assembly on Friday.
Free rice scheme launched
Earlier, Ms. Jayalalithaa launched the free rice distribution scheme at a fair price shop in Chennai. Under the scheme, a pre-election promise, 20 kg of rice will be given free every month to eligible card-holders, while a smaller group comprising the poorest among the poor will get 35 kg a month.
Keywords: free rice scheme, AIADMK election manifestos, TNEB
The scheme was successfully launched by CM,but the thing that it has reached the downtrodden means not absolutely.Because in Thanjavur in some parts of Kumbakonam, even the civil supplies body have not supplied the raw rice to certain ration shops.When people go ask for that the reply is not yet we itself received from the TNCSC, we have written to them regarding the demand but they have not...I asked for the second time in the ration shop for our zone before commenting on this.
Tamil Nadu is a beautiful state.
The 5 years of ruling of DMK government in Tamilnadu actually pull back tN to 5 years back.They were not concerned about the peoples actual issues and were not tried to solve it
Hope new govt will not be like that one give priority for solving the power crisis immediately
The power output to increase by 5000 MW means that the installed power generation units are being run at 50% of the capacity. Good. This can be possible if efficiencies in the plants are increased significantly by investing reasonable funds where plant inefficiencies are justified. Apart from raising the power generation, conservation of energy must become part of responsibility. Major industries should be encouraged with subsidies to generate biomass energy for its own consumption reducing the demand load on the grid so that households and small industries are not affected. The government may encourage the talented people who come up with innovative and feasible proposals with regard to energy conservation and sustainable generation.
More the things seem to change more they remain the same. With the start of freebies so soon, the AIDMK rule promises to be like the DMK regime. Till all the Dravida parties are voted out, the people of TN will never regain their self respect. We have reached a new low -- the TN peoples' attitude of unjustified entitlement to freebies and the politicians' arrogance and patronage fuel and feed each other. All the while the rest of India is laughing at the TN people for selling their souls for a morsel.
Distributing free rice is OK if it reaches the deserving.In most cases it goes for sale in black market or recieved by favoured few from party cadre.
The Chief Minister's concern for the poor and down trodden is tobe apprecited.But, the problem cannot be solved by giving free rice,In addition the government has to take up labour oriented projects and increase the daily wages of the labourers.
Sounds good to hear all this. i sincerely wish our CM is speaking with her heart and has the required skill sets in her party ministers to fulfill her promises.
Free rice to eligible people is a good scheme of the Goverenment of Tamilnadu. Let JJ not repeat what MK has done by printing his image on the bags. People, by and large, are sick of such publicity.
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