Rubbishing arch-rival DMK's oft repated jibe that the ruling AIADMK was subservient to the BJP, Tamil Nadu Minister P Thangamani today asserted the government was firm in getting its rightful due from the Centre and would never compromise on its rights.
Listing out 'achievements' of the government in the state assembly, Thangamani, holding charge of electricity ministry, accused the princiapl oposition party of being power hungy.
Winding up discussion on the demands for grant pertaning to his ministry, he cited the recent low 1.5 day coal inventory with the state-run power monolith Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO).
Thangamani said the coal supplies from the Centre went up and now the TANGEDCO had adequate stocks.
Referring to the subservient jibe without naming DMK, the Minister said the replenishing of the coal stock showed that the state government was firm in getting its rightful due from the Centre. "Our rights are never compromised."
Across the country, coal fired power plants were running to their full capacity which meant heavy demand in view of the summer, he said adding despite such a scenario, the Centre increased supplies to Tamil Nadu and gave nod for imports.
Seeking to turn the tables on the DMK, he said it wanted only such a government "that worked for the people" to go. "People, however, cannot be hoodwinked," he said.
"Our Chief Minsiter (K Palaniswami) is a farmer," he said adding as an ordinary person he understood the needs of people "while they (DMK) wanted to somehow come to power as they are power hungry."
Listing out milestones in his sector, he said the state that witnessed power cuts for several hours during the DMK rule had become energy surplus in 2015 as per the assurance of late chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2011 assembly election.
"Tamil Nadu will continue to be a power surplus state in 2018-19 also with an energy surplus of 15,116 Million Units and with a peak power surplus of 2,235 MW," he said.
On increasing capacity further, he said 6,200 MW will be added by 2020-21 and 11,400 MW in the next five to six years.
Reeling out statistics, he said 7.94 lakh new consumers were given power connections during 2017-18 adding 30,835 power connections were given to farmers.
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