Chennai, May 24: E.K. Palaniswami, the General Secretary of AIADMK, launched a sharp attack on Tamil Nadu‘s newly elected government on Sunday. He cited reports of power supply disruptions across various parts of the state, alleging that inadequate planning and unstable governance have led to a widespread power crisis affecting both households and industries.
In a statement, Palaniswami noted that it is well-known that electricity demand in Tamil Nadu significantly increases during the summer months due to rising domestic consumption alongside industrial and commercial usage.
He recalled that during the tenure of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, proactive measures were regularly taken to meet the state’s seasonal electricity needs without interruption.
Reflecting on AIADMK’s governance, Palaniswami claimed that when the “Amma Government” took office in 2011, many areas in Tamil Nadu experienced power cuts exceeding 10 hours daily. He stated that the government later resolved this crisis through several strategic interventions, transforming Tamil Nadu into a power surplus state.
Palaniswami emphasized that the previous administration had anticipated the rising demand during summer and increased electricity generation from wind, solar, and thermal sources. He also mentioned that to ensure uninterrupted power supply across the state, additional electricity was purchased from the central government and private power producers under short-term arrangements.
Criticizing the current government, he accused it of having an “arrogant and unstable” attitude, which has created severe problems for people in various regions of Tamil Nadu.
According to him, prolonged and unannounced power cuts have disrupted daily life. Residents are losing sleep at night, and essential household tasks, including cooking, are being affected during the day due to power outages.
He referenced media reports indicating that those impacted by the power crisis have staged protests and movements in several locations.
Palaniswami pointed to reports from suburban areas of Chennai, including Thandiyarpettai, where residents have faced repeated power disruptions, prompting them to take to the streets in protest.
He stressed that the power crisis is not limited to households but also impacts micro, small, and medium enterprises, as well as large industries, increasing economic pressure across various sectors. He urged the newly formed government to stop using its recent assumption of power as an excuse and to take immediate action to address the power crisis on a war footing.
Leave a Comment