Stories
Buying electricity at 35 rupees per unit? Opposition slams Tamil Nadu government
- •Political leaders have strongly condemned the Tamil Nadu government for procuring a unit of electricity from private entities at 35 rupees.
- •PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss warned that purchasing power at inflated prices would inflict a loss of one lakh crore rupees on the government.
- •Critics accused the administration of following short-term procurement procedures that pave the way for massive financial loss and corruption.
- •Leader TRB Rajaa questioned why the government is spending up to 37 rupees to buy electricity that can be produced locally for just 5 rupees.
- •NTK Chief Coordinator Seeman slammed the government for failing to strengthen its own power generation projects and relying on expensive private deals.
Key Questions Answered
The Tamil Nadu government carried out emergency power procurement with rates reaching up to Rs 37 per unit due to a sudden surge in power demand and a national power deficit caused by factors like El Nino-driven heat and a shortfall in wind generation and central allocations, which risked rolling blackouts if unaddressed.
Opposition leaders like Senthil Balaji, Anbumani Ramadoss, and Seeman criticized the government for failing to strengthen its own power generation and allowing coal reserves to dwindle at thermal stations, warning that buying inflated power would saddle the debt-ridden electricity board with massive financial losses and potential kickbacks.
Electricity Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar explained that peak electricity demand surged to 21,700 megawatts due to relentless heat from El Nino, and warned that failing to procure power at current market rates would cause daily power cuts similar to those seen in other states.
