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Speaking at the state assembly today, the Minister said that as on March 31, 2006 the cumulative debt, since TNEB's inspection 50 years ago, was at Rs 10,561 crore. However between 2006 and 2011 TNEB's debt increased to Rs 45,233.25 crore.
“Now TNEB's loan outstanding is at Rs 49,639 crore,” said the Minister, who blamed the previous regime for the increase.
He also alleged that the current power shortage of 4,000 mega watt in the state was due to mismanagement of the previous regime, which added only 206 mega watt.
Daily consumption of electricity in the State has increased to 210 million units in January from 180 million units 180 units in October 2012.
The Minister also said that the present power cut, which range from 2-8 hours across the state, will be withdrawn completely by June 2013 due to various initiatives taken by the state administration to fast track the ongoing power projects across the state.
IT may be noted, besides fasttracking new power projects, the state government has entered into a three year agreement with Orissa Government to buy 500 MW of power.
Earlier, the Government said that the third phase of Mettur project for 600 MW has started testing, first phase of Vallur 500 MW project was started in November 2012, and the second and third phase with 500 MW each will go on stream in March and October, 2013, respectively.
Meanwhile, the State Rural Development Minister K P Munusamy said that the state Government is giving 400 mega watt of power to the farmers in the cauvery delta region.
It may be noted, this region is one of the major source for rice and paddy has been suffering huge crop loss owing to non-availability of water for irrigation. Around six lakh hectares have already burnt.
