Jaya, DMK members cross swords over TN power scenario

Chennai, Aug 3: Tamil Nadu Assembly today witnessed sharp exchanges between members of main Opposition DMK and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and Electricity Minister S P Velumani over the power scenario in the state, leading to a walkout by members of the Karunanidhi-led party on the issue.

Jayalalithaa intervened after DMK member B Ranganathan said the AIADMK regime was trying to create a "deceptive" picture that Tamil Nadu was a power surplus state. Rebutting him, she said the Central Electricity Authority in its load balance generation report (LGBR) has categorically stated that Tamil Nadu was a power generation surplus state.

"The government is not trying to create any deceptive picture," she said.

The Chief Minister said Ranganathan would not have been confused whether Tamil Nadu was a power surplus state or not if he had read the government policy note on energy tabled in the House today. Quoting it, she said the daily average power supply which was 200 Million Units in 2010 (DMK regime) increased to 300 MUs in 2016 (AIADMK regime).

"Also, TN has met an all time high peak demand of 15,343 MW and an all time high energy consumption of 345.617 MUs on April 29, 2016." She said, the CEA in its LGBR had also categorically stated in 2016-17, the state will generate 11,649 MUs additionally and will be power surplus.

On the DMK member's views, she said, "it was like a person who does not know the game of football repeatedly striking same side goals."

"When DMK was in power, all types of mistakes were committed in power sector and they ruined the Electricity Department," she said, adding "all that they did was wrong". She said after her party assumed power in 2011, her regime corrected all the wrongs committed by DMK.

"We lit up Tamil Nadu, we made it glitter which was drowned in darkness," she said, amid thumping of desks by ruling party members. She said whatever allegations DMK had thought of making (on power sector) did not happen as "all faults were on their side and achievements are on our side."

When Ranganathan, who was supported by other DMK members, wanted to air more views, Speaker P Dhanapal said it could not be considered as he had been given 55 minutes. The Speaker said giving more time to him would affect the rights of other members. Unsatisfied by his reply, the DMK members staged a walkout.

PTI