Appoint capable Minister to handle power crisis: PMK

Madurai, Sep 6 (UNI) Stating that Tamil Nadu has been witnessing unprecedented power cuts, PMK founder-leader S Ramadoss today demanded that the DMK Government must appoint an experienced and capable minister for the Electricity Department to handle the present crisis in the state.

Talking to newspersons here, he alleged that not even a single unit of electricity was generated through new power projects after the DMK assumed office. This trend would continue for another two years, he added.

Power production was less owing to poor quality lignite and the private power producers shut down their units for several reasons, which the government should look into.

The leader demanded a judicial probe by a sitting Judge into the allegations that the government was giving uninterrupted power supply only to major industrial units in the state.

''The DMK may not win a single Assembly seat, if the state elections are announced along with Parliamentary elections, as the government has failed to address many power-related issues,'' he alleged.

On the 'Rs one per one kg rice' scheme announced by the State Government from September 15, he claimed that it would only help rice smugglers to gain double profit.

Stating that illegal sand quarrying in rivers was still rampant in Tamil Nadu, Mr Ramadoss suggested that the government open depots to sell sand directly to the users. Unemployed educated youths could be appointed at the depots, he pointed out.

On the recent fire tragedy at a commercial complex in Chennai, he demanded that the government take steps to demolish ''unauthorised'' buildings in the state.

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