Undeclared power cuts affecting elderly, children most: Ramadoss

CHENNAI: Raising concerns that senior citizens and children are suffering from sleeplessness due to unannounced power cuts, PMK founder S Ramadoss urged the government to take measures to increase power generation in the State.

Issuing a statement, the senior leader said frequent and unannounced power cuts are reported across the state, except Chennai and its neighbouring districts. “It is condemnable that the government failed to take measures to provide electricity despite rising demand,” he said. He added that districts such as Ranipet, Vellore, Tirupattur,

Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Erode, Salem and others are facing one to four hours of unannounced power cuts.

“Residents could not use their air conditioners and electric fans due to low voltage issues. Senior citizens and children are suffering without sleep. The power demand for Tamil Nadu has reached 21,000 MW per day. Even though power is procured from private sources, a shortage of 300 MW to 400 MW occurs every day. It is well known that power demand increases during the summer seasons. Tangedco should have entered into agreements with private generators to meet the demand. The Tangedco and the government have failed,” he alleged.

Ramadoss pointed out that the state government is capable of generating onefifth of its total demand. If the same situation continues, Tamil Nadu will not become self-sustainable, and power cuts will continue.

“Projects to generate 17,340 MW were proposed but they have been shelved for 17 years. After 2014, work for 5,700 MW started but it is pending. A few weeks ago, a project to generate 800MW was launched, but it is not functional, “he said.