Date:03/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/03/stories/2008080360740800.htm

Tamil Nadu

AIADMK demonstration against ‘power cut’ slams government

Special Correspondent

It has affected industrial sector, says Ponnaiyan

— Photo: M. Vedhan

VOICING THEIR PROTEST: Former Minister C. Ponnaiyan and AIADMK legislator P.K. Sekar Babu at a demonstration against the State government in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: The AIADMK on Saturday held a demonstration in Chennai to condemn “power cut and police failure to resolve a series of murders that shook the city.”

Addressing the demonstrators, former minister C. Ponnaiyan alleged that corruption and inefficient administration in TNEB had led to the present power crisis.

“Plunged into darkness”

“When the AIADMK was in power we were able to generate 2000 MW in excess of the demand and we used to sell electricity to other States. Today, Tamil Nadu has been plunged into darkness. Though the government says it resorts to load-shedding for two hours, many places in the State are witnessing 10 hours of unofficial power cut,” he said.

Mr. Ponnaiyan said the power cut had affected the industrial sector and many industries were facing closure.

“Completely paralysed”

He said the Police Department was completely paralysed and not able to tackle the law and order situation. AIADMK MLA P.K. Sekar Babu participated.