TN Govt should withdraw new tariff rates: Ramadoss

Chennai, Oct 22: The state government"s decision to charge 50 per cent more from the domestic consumers who use more than 600 units of electricity in two months has evoked strong criticism from the Opposition parties, who have demanded its withdrawal. In a statement, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa said the new measures to tide over the power crisis had aggravated the situation. They would stunt industrial growth and lead to large-scale retrenchment.

At a time when IT industries, aviation industry and small scale industries were going through a crisis because of the economic situation, the government"s decision would severely affect all sections of society.

PMK leader S Ramadoss and CPI (M) State secretary N Varadarajan said the move might help the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board further its revenues, but would not offer a solution to the crisis.

Accusing the government of taking unilateral decision on power tariff and power cut, Dr Ramadoss said the State government should have consulted the Electricity Regulation Commission before making the announcement. “Since there is a possibility of someone going to court against the announcements, the government should immediately withdraw the new tariff rates."

OneIndia News