Due to this, the demand for electricity increased more than usual. Electricity is not available to meet it. Therefore, there was a shortage of electricity and electricity blackout was implemented for certain hours every day for houses and industries. Many people were affected by this. This was the main reason for DMK’s defeat in the 2011 assembly elections. In Tiruvallur district, 1,200 MW North Chennai Expansion Thermal Power Station, 600 MW Salem and Mettur Expansion Power Stations started production in 2014.
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Apart from this, Central Government’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant at Tirunelveli; Power generation also started at Thiruvallur, Vallur and Tuthukudi NTPL thermal power stations. Due to this, the electricity blackout notification was withdrawn in 2014 as enough electricity was available to meet the electricity demand. At the same time, the electricity board has been facing losses for many years due to the purchase of electricity, coal and equipment from private parties at high prices. While loans are taken for new power projects, the works are not completed within the stipulated time. In the last 10 years, the electricity board debt has increased manifold and now stands at Rs 1.59 lakh crore. 16 thousand 500 crores of rupees are paid per year for the interest alone. With the change of government, it is planned to increase the own power generation to meet the power demand.
For this, steps have been taken to speedily complete the construction work of the thermal power stations at Thiruvallur North Chennai – ௩, Ennuar Special, Tuathikudi – Ebenkudi. But the construction work of the above power stations is going on in Mantakathi. Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai has been complaining that the Electricity Board is violating the rules and giving permission for contract works. Thus, the power demand will increase further. Accordingly, there is a need to increase power generation.
Sudden inspection
Now the electricity board is going to increase the electricity tariff to solve the financial crisis. Many have objected to this. In addition to that, the electricity bill is going to be increased. After that, Chief Minister Stalin is going to pay special attention to the Electricity Board to prevent further losses and ensure uninterrupted power supply.
For this purpose, once in two weeks or once in a month, the Minister of Power will call the senior officials of the Power Board and conduct an inspection regarding the status, financial condition and cost of power projects. It has been reported that a surprise inspection was conducted at the Consumer Service Centre.