Power ‘outages,’ power purchase rock Tamil Nadu assembly

CHENNAI: Heated arguments were witnessed on Wednesday in the Tamil Nadu assembly between the AIADMK and DMK over power cut and power purchase agreements of both governments at a higher rate leading to loss to Tangedco, the state-run power utility.

Electricity minister V Senthil Balaji said the ongoing maintenance of power infrastructure was the reason for the scheduled shutdown in certain divisions and the work, which was on a war-footing, would be completed in ten days.

Participating in the debate on motion of thanks to the governor’s address to the assembly, main opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami alleged that the state was reeling under severe power ‘outages’ which even lasted two or three hours. “There are power cuts frequently.