Madurai: Minister for energy resources and law, C T R Nirmal Kumar, has announced that the state government will take steps to make Tamil Nadu self-sufficient in power generation by leveraging available opportunities within the state.
Past mismanagement blamed for electricity department woes
Speaking to reporters in Madurai on Saturday, the minister alleged that all governments in power over the past 25 years had ruined the electricity department. He specifically pointed to the DMK rule starting in 2006 as the beginning of the destruction. According to him, the department employed around 1.45 lakh people in 2001, but that number has now been reduced by half.
The minister also highlighted the department's massive debt of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore and the fact that electricity is being purchased at a higher price per unit. He noted that a scam related to transformer procurement is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Restructuring and reforms underway
Nirmal Kumar stated that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has entrusted him with the enormous task of restructuring the department to address all deficiencies. He assured that steps would be taken to resolve all issues, including reducing the amount of electricity purchased from outside the state. The ultimate goal is to make Tamil Nadu self-sufficient in power generation.
Furthermore, the minister emphasized that efforts would be made to meet the electricity needs of all villages through basic infrastructure improvements.
Cabinet expansion and departmental reviews
On the topic of cabinet expansion, Nirmal Kumar revealed that Chief Minister Vijay is reviewing each department at the secretariat on a daily basis and taking necessary action accordingly.
