Tamil Nadu Electricity Tariff Hike: Here's What BJP Chief Annamalai Says

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai has criticised the DMK government over raise in electricity tariffs in Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) implemented a 4.83 per cent increase in tariffs for domestic, commercial, and industrial users starting from July 1, 2024, leading to varied increases ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 40 for different categories of domestic consumers.

Expressing his dismay over the price hike, Annamalai pointed out that the DMK government, within just three years of assuming power, has increased property taxes, electricity charges, drinking water rates, milk prices, and bond registration fees multiple times, significantly burdening the public.

"In the fiscal year 2023-2024 alone, the DMK government spent Rs. 65,000 crore on purchasing electricity without taking adequate measures to boost power generation. This reliance on costly electricity imports, totaling around Rs 5,400 crore per month, without concurrent efforts to enhance domestic production, is unsustainable and directly contributes to repeated tariff hikes," Annamalai criticized.

Highlighting Chief Minister MK Stalin's earlier criticism of similar policies when in opposition, Annamalai stated the failure to fulfill election promises of calculating monthly electricity bills and installing smart meters. "Instead of progressing with smart meter installations as promised, the plan has been shelved, leaving consumers paying inflated bills without the anticipated benefits," he stated.

Annamalai urged the DMK government to withdraw the tariff hike immediately, implement monthly billing practices, and prioritize increasing electricity production through initiatives such as solar power generation. He concluded by condemning the DMK's governance approach, labeling it as administratively inept and harmful to the public's interests.