The Madurai Corporation’s announcement that electricity will not be provided for the upcoming Chithirai Festival due to unpaid dues of over ₹1 crore by the Meenakshi Amman Temple administration has sparked widespread outrage. The move has triggered a backlash from devotees and political critics, who have accused the DMK-led state government of discriminatory practices and mismanagement.

The controversy emerged after a review meeting was held under the leadership of District Collector Sangeetha, along with senior officials including the Madurai Corporation Commissioner Chithra Vijayan, City Police Commissioner Loganathan, and representatives from multiple departments. It was noted during the meeting that the Meenakshi Temple had not cleared electricity dues, and officials from the Corporation stated that unless the amount was paid, power would not be provided for the festival via Corporation streetlight connections.

Instead, the temple was advised to apply for a temporary connection through the Electricity Board. This decision created concern, especially since the Chithirai Festival is set to take place from April 29 to May 10 and includes major events such as Thirukalyanam and Kallazhagar’s descent into the Vaigai River — ceremonies that draw lakhs of devotees every year.

Critics of the government have alleged that the DMK administration was selectively enforcing rules. They pointed out that the government itself had failed to pay electricity bills totaling over ₹2,000 crore across various departments, including panchayat boards and municipal corporations. Figures circulating in public discourse claimed that the state government had not paid electricity dues for over 2.19 lakh service lines in the last three years, amounting to ₹1,618 crore, yet no action was being taken against these departments.

மதுரை சித்திரை திருவிழாவிற்கு கரண்ட் கொடுக்க முடியாது : திமுக அரசு திமிர்தனமான அதிகாரியின் பேச்சிற்கு என் கேள்வி:

1கோடி கரண்ட் பில் இருக்குனா அத போய் உங்கள் முன்னாள் ரவுடியும் இன்னாள் அமைச்சருமான சேகர்பாபு பிடிச்சு ஏன் கட்டலனு கேளுங்க.. சித்திரை திருவிழாவையும் கள்ளளழகர் ஆற்றில்… pic.twitter.com/pOcSYNH9Pz

— Maridhas (@MaridhasAnswers) April 13, 2025

It was also pointed out that the government had not invested in basic infrastructure like toilets in schools — despite central government assistance — while spending hundreds of crores on statues of late DMK leader M. Karunanidhi across villages. Critics questioned why the temple, which sees thousands of devotees daily and earns revenue through offerings and shop rentals, had been unable to pay the electricity dues. They demanded transparency regarding the temple’s income and expenditure and asked why the HR&CE Department had failed to manage this essential responsibility.

There was also significant anger over what many perceived as an anti-Hindu bias. Several commentators accused the government of supporting festivals and infrastructure for other religions while taking a punitive approach to major Hindu religious events. They warned that if the Chithirai Festival were disrupted in any way, it would have electoral consequences across Tamil Nadu.

In response to growing criticism, the Madurai Corporation issued a clarification. It claimed that the news had been misinterpreted and distorted on social media. According to the administration, the Corporation had merely asked the temple administration to pay a standard cleaning fee of ₹310 per light before connecting the high-powered electric lights to the Corporation’s lines. Officials insisted that preparations for the Chithirai Festival were progressing and that all departments were working to ensure the event proceeded without disruption.

Despite the clarification, public dissatisfaction remains high. Many devotees have continued to question the financial management of the temple, particularly asking why offerings from the public and income from commercial establishments within the temple premises were not sufficient to settle the electricity bill. Some also demanded a response from HR&CE Minister P. K. Sekar Babu.

The dispute has escalated from an administrative issue into a political and cultural flashpoint. With the festival only a short while away, it remains unclear whether the issue will be resolved in time to allow the celebration to proceed in full scale, or whether the shadow of political mismanagement will dim one of Tamil Nadu’s most iconic religious festivals.

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The post Madurai Chithirai Festival Power Cut Row: Devotees Slam DMK Govt Over ₹1 Crore Dues, Demand Answers appeared first on The Commune.

Tamil Nadu is likely to face an electricity shortfall from March as peak power demand is expected to surpass 22,000 megawatts (MW) this summer, marking a 10% increase from last year’s record of 20,830 MW. The Union Ministry of Power has warned the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) about potential shortages, particularly in the evenings when demand is at its peak.

Projections indicate that the state will require an additional 3,810 MW in March, 4,697 MW in April, 3,472 MW in May, and 2,192 MW in June to meet demand. The state government has initiated measures such as short-term power purchases and inter-state power transfers to bridge the gap.

Despite Tamil Nadu’s reliance on solar power during the day, evening demand remains a challenge. To mitigate potential shortages, the state’s thermal power plants must operate at near-full capacity. However, the newly inaugurated 800MW North Chennai Super Critical Thermal Power Station (NCTPS-Stage III) is unlikely to contribute due to incomplete infrastructure work.

A senior official from the Tamil Nadu Power Generation Corporation Limited (TNPGCL) confirmed that the plant is still not commercially operational. Key infrastructure components, including wagon-loading facilities and fly ash ponds, remain unfinished, and a Rs 50 crore funding request is yet to be approved. Additionally, BHEL has not handed over the plant to TNPGCL as it has failed to achieve full capacity generation.

Compounding the delay, the plant is designed to run on imported coal, and arrangements for a steady fuel supply are still pending. Since its inauguration in March 2024, the plant has generated less than 1,000 million units, relying on limited coal or oil reserves.

Originally announced by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in 2010, the project saw multiple delays. Boiler operations commenced in February 2021 under then-CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and full power generation was inaugurated by CM M.K. Stalin in March 2024. However, unresolved technical issues have prevented it from running at full capacity.

With power demand soaring due to summer heat and school examinations, the state government is under pressure to ensure an uninterrupted supply. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Tamil Nadu can avoid power cuts amid the looming electricity shortfall.

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The post Tamil Nadu’s Electricity Woes To Worsen As Central Warns Of Electricity Shortfall This Summer appeared first on The Commune.

A Scheduled Caste (SC) family in Pudupatti, Melur taluk, has been struggling to secure an electricity connection for their home for the past nine years due to objections raised by their neighbours who belong to a dominant community. The issue revolves around installing an electricity pole on a shared pathway, which the neighbours have allegedly blocked by erecting a fence.

K Meenakshi (30), a daily wage labourer, shared her ordeal, explaining that she and her husband, Kumar, had purchased a plot of land in Pudupatti, Attakudi panchayat, and built a modest house with a tiled roof. However, when they applied for an electricity connection, their neighbours raised objections, claiming ownership of the land around their house and preventing the installation of the required electricity pole.

“We initially stayed silent, but when our elder son struggled to study at night without electricity, we decided to apply for a connection from TANGEDCO,” Meenakshi explained to TNIE. “An official team from the Melur subdivision of Madurai zone inspected our house and the area, but shortly after, our neighbours erected a fence blocking the entrance pathway.”

The Free Legal Aid of Madurai District Court organized a mediation session to resolve the matter. Meenakshi’s brother, K Durai, mentioned that the dominant community members were advised during the meeting to provide space for installing the electricity pole. However, the neighbours have yet to comply with this recommendation.

A TANGEDCO official from the Madurai division confirmed the issue, stating, “We are prepared to install the pole, but the neighbours are objecting, claiming ownership of the land surrounding the house. After our inspection, the neighbours fenced off the area and accused us of trespassing on their property.”

In response to a petition submitted by the family, an official from the Madurai district administration said that local revenue officials in Melur Taluk were instructed to investigate the matter. “During a field visit by a village assistant, it was confirmed that Kumar and Meenakshi had purchased the land in 2015 (Document no. 4432/2015), and their ownership was verified as legitimate,” the official said. “The land document clearly indicates that the common pathway is located on the southern end. We are still unsure why the neighbours are objecting to the installation of the electricity pole, but an inquiry is underway.”

The SC family’s struggle for basic utilities continues as they await a resolution to their ongoing issue with the electricity connection.

(With inputs from TNIE)

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The post Tamil Nadu SC Family Denied Electricity For 9 Years Due To Caste-Based Discrimination appeared first on The Commune.

Most Indians diligently pay their electricity bills on time, yet state governments owe staggering sums to power distribution companies (discoms), which are drowning in debt. According to a recent report, Indian states and union territories (UTs) collectively owe over ₹1 trillion to power generation companies (gencos) and ₹1.3 trillion to discoms. In states like Tamil Nadu, discoms are heavily indebted, owing several thousand crores to power generation companies.  A 2022 report states that Tamil Nadu discoms have the highest outstanding dues of ₹22,756 crore to gencos.

What’s the reason for this predicament?

The root cause lies in how political parties like the DMK and ADMK have made electricity into a political product. While industries bear the burden of higher power costs, free electricity for farmers and households up to a few hundred units are often included in poll promises.

This severely strains the financial health of state power distribution companies, burdening the exchequer with massive deficits and ultimately leading to poor electricity services.

The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to hike electricity tariffs by over 4% which has resulted in a lot of criticism from all quarters of society, should be seen in this light. To add to this, the policy of the government to bill consumers on a bi-monthly basis will cause a huge burden on the pockets of the middle class and small and medium-sized industries.

The impact is evident in regions like Coimbatore and Tiruppur, where power looms and small industries are shutting down due to exorbitant power bills and frequent outages.

The government has hiked the electricity prices to address budget deficits, but the repercussions of this measure can be multifaceted and far-reaching, often negatively impacting the economy in several significant ways. Here is how this move will affect the economy.

Increased Production Costs and Inflation

The immediate consequence of rising electricity tariffs is a surge in production costs across various sectors, including manufacturing, processing, and services. These increased operational expenses often lead businesses to raise prices for goods and services, triggering cost-push inflation. As a result, consumers face higher prices for essentials like food, clothing, and transportation, which reduces their purchasing power and leaves them with less disposable income for non-essential expenditures.

Strain on Consumers and MSMEs

The ripple effect of higher electricity costs extends to households, where increased utility bills reduce disposable income. Consumers are forced to tighten their belts, cutting back on discretionary spending and thereby reducing aggregate demand. This drop in consumer spending can lead to slower economic activity and potentially dampen business profitability.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which generally operate on narrower profit margins, are particularly vulnerable to cost increases. Unlike larger corporations, SMEs may struggle to absorb higher energy costs, risking closures or layoffs. This not only impacts individual businesses but also the broader job market and local economies reliant on these enterprises.

Investment Deterrence 

The increased cost of electricity can deter investment, especially in energy-intensive industries. With higher operational costs, investors may shy away from regions with steep energy prices, stalling economic growth and job creation. The relocation of businesses to areas with more favorable energy costs could further exacerbate regional economic disparities.

Supply Chain Strain 

The ripple effect of higher electricity costs extends through the supply chain. Suppliers and distributors experience elevated costs for logistics and raw materials, which further exacerbates price increases. This strain on the supply chain can lead to a cycle of rising costs and diminished economic activity.

Regional Disparities and Social Inequality

The impact of increased tariffs is not uniform across regions. Rural or less developed areas, which often face higher energy costs due to lower infrastructure investment, can experience more severe economic strain compared to urban centers. This disparity can exacerbate regional inequalities, as poorer areas struggle more to cope with the rising costs.

Furthermore, higher electricity tariffs disproportionately affect low-income households, who spend a larger share of their income on utilities. Without targeted support measures or subsidies, these households could face increased poverty and social inequality.

Whether the state government will push for a move towards solar energy or roll back the price hikes or at least implement the monthly billing system is something that we must wait and watch. But given the history of the DMK government, especially over the past 3 years, none of this might happen. The burden is solely for the common man to bear while the governments cry hoarse and spread fake news about the central government’s policies that have “led” to the policy decision of the Tamil Nadu state government.

It is crucial for people to understand that what appears as a free benefit today will eventually cost much more in the long run.

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The post Dear Tamil Nadu People, The Cost Of Free Power Is Costlier Than You Think, Be Ready To Pay For It appeared first on The Commune.

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) has announced an increase in electricity tariffs to address financial losses, according to a press statement cited by ANI.

Effective 1 July 2024, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has approved a 2.18% hike in electricity tariffs for consumers based on the multi-year tariff order. This adjustment, aligned with the consumer price index, is scaled to 2.18% from a potential 4.7% increase to consider consumer welfare. Notably, this increase for households is entirely covered by the government’s electricity subsidy.

Last year, the TNERC also limited the tariff hike to 2.18%, although it could have been raised by up to 5%. TANGEDCO’s financial losses have escalated significantly, from ₹18,954 crore in FY12 to ₹94,312 crore over the past decade. Consequently, TANGEDCO has been compelled to secure loans from financial institutions and banks due to previous non-commitments, contrasting with the current government’s full absorption commitment from 2021-22.

The loan amount has tripled over the last decade, soaring from ₹43,493 crore in FY12 to ₹1,59,823 crore in FY22. This has led to a 259% increase in net interest on loans, rising from ₹4,588 crore in FY12 to ₹16,511 crore in FY21.

The press release also highlighted that the government has been implementing minor annual tariff hikes to minimize consumer impact. According to the Union Ministry of Power guidelines, annual electricity tariff revisions are mandatory to avail central government funds under the Strengthening of Distribution System (RDSS) scheme.

The tariff hike has drawn criticism from opposition party leaders. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami and BJP State President Annamalai have condemned the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government for the increase in power tariffs.

LoP Edappadi Palanisami took to his official X handle and wrote, “My strong condemnation to the DMK government which has increased the electricity tariff again in Tamil Nadu! By waiting for the parliamentary elections and the Vikravandi by-elections to end, the DMK Chief Minister has gifted the people of Tamil Nadu with a shock. DMK Chief Minister. What pleasure does this Vidya government have in beating people’s stomachs? “I will do what I say – I will do what I don’t say,” said Mr.@mkstalin. They have not fulfilled any of their promises including the electricity bill once a month; You are only increasing the electricity tariffs without telling! It is unfair to put the burden of your administrative incompetence on the people! It has become a habit of the DMK government to torture the people. Without the basic capacity to provide uninterrupted power, I strongly condemn the DMK government for repeatedly increasing the electricity tariff. I urge the DMK Chief Minister to immediately roll back the increase in electricity tariff which is a huge burden on the people.”

தமிழ்நாட்டில் மின் கட்டணத்தை மீண்டும் உயர்த்தியுள்ள விடியா திமுக அரசுக்கு என் கடும் கண்டனம் !

பாராளுமன்றத் தேர்தலும், விக்கிரவாண்டி இடைத்தேர்தலும் ஓயட்டும் என்று காத்திருந்து தமிழ்நாட்டு மக்களுக்கு பேரதிர்ச்சியை பரிசளித்திருக்கிறார்
விடியா திமுக முதல்வர்.

மக்களின் வயிற்றில்… pic.twitter.com/grIgIFUrqk

— Edappadi K Palaniswami-SayYEStoWomenSafety&AIADMK (@EPSTamilNadu) July 15, 2024

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party president Annamalai condemned the price hike and also urged the DMK government to withdraw the tariff hike, shift to monthly billing, and move to solar energy to reduce the burden on the public. He wrote on his official X handle, “Within three years of coming to power, the DMK government has increased property tax, electricity charges, drinking water charges, milk prices, and bond registration fees many times and burdened the public with the increase in charges. Shocked. The DMK government purchased electricity worth ₹65,000 crore in the last fiscal year 2023-2024 alone. In three years of coming to power, without taking any measures to increase power generation, the cost of this electricity has been borne by the public. While many states have taken steps to increase solar power generation across the country, the DMK has spent around ₹5,400 crore per month to purchase electricity. If we continue to increase the amount of electricity purchased without increasing the production of electricity, it will lead to repeated increases in electricity tariffs. DMK’s Dravidian model of government is a stupid model without even this basic administrative knowledge. When he was in the opposition, Chief Minister Mr. @mkstalin, who released a video talking about shocking electricity charges, is now giving shocks to the public. He came to power with an election promise that if he did come to power, monthly electricity bills would be calculated, and after three years have passed, he has not implemented it. Without the practice of paying monthly electricity bills, people are already paying 50% more electricity bills. They said that they would install smart meters in the houses and calculate the monthly electricity bill, but now they have shelved the plan to install smart meters. In this situation, for DMK’s administrative failure, how is it fair to impose a fare hike on the public? I urge on behalf of @BJP4Tamilnadu that the DMK, which is victimizing the public for their administrative incompetence, should immediately withdraw this electricity tariff hike and take measures to increase electricity generation including solar power generation and implement the monthly electricity tariff procedure immediately across Tamil Nadu.”

ஆட்சிக்கு வந்து மூன்று ஆண்டுகளில், சொத்து வரி, மின்சாரக் கட்டணம், குடிநீர் கட்டணம், பால் விலை, பத்திரப் பதிவு கட்டணம், என அனைத்தையும் பல மடங்கு உயர்த்தி, கட்டண உயர்வைப் பொதுமக்கள் தலையில் சுமத்தியுள்ள திமுக அரசு, தற்போது, விக்கிரவாண்டி இடைத்தேர்தல் முடிவுகள் வெளிவந்ததும்,…

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) July 16, 2024

(with inputs from Live Mint)

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The post TANGEDCO Hikes Electricity Tariffs by 2.18%; EPS, Annamalai Slam Move, Urge DMK Govt To Roll Back Increase appeared first on The Commune.

In the district of Dindigul, the residents of JJ Nagar village, near Perumal Nagar, are living in dire conditions without essential amenities such as electricity, drinking water, and toilet facilities. Approximately 50 families in this community rely on candlelight and kerosene lamps for illumination, facing daily challenges that severely impact their quality of life.

A long-time resident, a woman who has lived in JJ Nagar since birth, shared her frustration: “I have been living here since birth in the village of JJ Nagar without any basic facilities. There are only huts here. We talk about Digital India, but here, there are no basic facilities. Our school children are struggling a lot. There have been incidents of pregnant women getting aborted due to falling here. Even if we take this issue up to the collector, they are postponing the issue. We have given numerous petitions but suspect that they stopped the issue from reaching the authorities. We don’t know how they can say we have rights to vote. They come here only to ask for votes.”

The lack of basic services has had severe repercussions on the residents’ health and education. Another resident recounted a tragic incident: “We have 50 families here. We have no basic facilities. No water, electricity, toilet. Our kids are studying only with candlelight. My wife was pregnant, and as we had no water facilities, she fell while carrying water and had a miscarriage. The government should focus on us and fulfill our basic requests.”

The community’s isolation is compounded by the threat of wild animals, which disrupts the children’s schooling and adds to the residents’ sense of insecurity. “The cost of buying candles surpasses the cost of electricity here. We even have a scare of wild animals,” another woman noted.

Despite repeated petitions and appeals to local authorities, the residents feel their plight has been ignored. They suspect that their complaints are being suppressed before reaching higher officials, leading to growing despair and resentment within the community.

10 ஆண்டுகளுக்கும் மேலாக மின்சாரம், குடிநீர், கழிப்பறை வசதி இல்லாமல் வாழும் மக்கள்.. 2024-லிலும் இப்படி ஒரு நிலைமையா?.. #Dindigul | #PerumalMalai | #Water | #Toilet | #BasicFacility pic.twitter.com/UgjvU1nCeU

— Polimer News (@polimernews) May 28, 2024

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The post Dravidian Model: No Electricity, No Toilet, No Drinking Water For Families In Dindigul’s JJ Nagar appeared first on The Commune.

During the All India Cooperative Society Week function in Tirunelveli, the Minister in charge of the electricity department, Thangam Thennarasu, found himself in the dark, both literally and figuratively. The incident happened on 16 November 2023, casting a spotlight on the persistent issue of power cuts in the state.

The 70th All India Cooperative Society Week was held at Nehru Kalaiarangam in Palayankottai. DMK Minister Thangam Thennarasu who holds the portfolio of electricity and finance, along with Tirunelveli DMK MP Abdul Wahab, DMK MLA Gnanathiraviyam attended the event.

As Minister Thennarasu was lauding the achievements of the DMK government and speaking about the need for being self-reliant, the power suddenly went off, plunging the venue into darkness.

“When our country became independent, our national leaders got together to plan on how to take the country to the next level. They created with the 5-year plans. As they were engaged in propelling the country forward with each five-year plan, they realized that education, public health, infrastructure can be developed in a country only through the cooperative society model and making people self-reliant.”, spoke Minister Thangam Thennarasu when the power got cut.

The abrupt blackout drew claps of dissatisfaction from the audience, who have grown accustomed to nocturnal power cuts becoming a routine of late.

During the power cut, the DMK Electricity Minister went on to suggest that someone deliberately orchestrated the power cut to provide content for the media.

For a few minutes, Minister Thennarasu, grappled with the unexpected power outage. When the electricity was finally restored, the DMK Minister took it in his stride saying that the episode has provided content for the press.

“While speaking I was wondering what content to give for the media. That’s okay. Tomorrow, the press people have got good content. ‘Power cut during Electricity Minister’s speech’ – you’ve a good headline for tomorrow“, he said.

திருநெல்வேலியில் மின்சாரத்துறை அமைச்சர் @TThenarasu அவர்கள் செய்தியாளர்களுக்கு இன்று கொடுத்த கண்டெண்ட்,

“மின்சாரத்துறை அமைச்சர் பேசும் போது மின்சாரம் கட் ” என்பது தான்
#இதுதான்டா_திமுகமாடல் pic.twitter.com/Gl3uiZLkIc

— Raj Satyen – SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@satyenaiadmk) November 20, 2023

திருநெல்வேலியில் மின்சாரத்துறை அமைச்சர் பேசும்போது மின் தடை .

இது தான் திராவிட மாடல் ஆட்சி @mkstalin pic.twitter.com/VOEYvVmXSD

— CR Bharath (@CRBharathBJP) November 20, 2023

திருநெல்வேலியில் மின்சாரத்துறை அமைச்சர் பேசும்போது மின் தடை.

நம்புங்க… இது விடியல் ஆட்சி #DMKFailsTN pic.twitter.com/iWZWwVHpUp

— Praveen Kumar G.L (@praveen_kgl) November 21, 2023

திருநெல்வேலியில் மின்சாரத்துறை அமைச்சர் @TThenarasu அவர்கள் செய்தியாளர்களுக்கு இன்று கொடுத்த கண்டெண்ட்,

“மின்சாரத்துறை அமைச்சர் பேசும் போது மின்சாரம் கட் ” என்பது தான்
#இதுதான்டா_திமுகமாடல் pic.twitter.com/XB0MTuD8U4

— மேச்சேரி பானுபிரதாப் – SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@panprathap) November 21, 2023

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The post Power Cut During Electricity Minister’s Speech Provides Fodder For Opposition To Target ‘Dravidian Model’ appeared first on The Commune.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that nearly 9% share of electricity is likely to be contributed from India’s nuclear sources by the year 2047 when India celebrates 100 years of independence and that this would help in getting closer with the commitment of achieving net zero target by 2070.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh made these remarks after holding a review meeting with a group of senior scientists from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Department of Atomic Energy, at Mumbai.

The Minister said that the other targets laid down by the Department of Atomic Energy are achieving 20 GW capacity of nuclear power generation by the year 2030 which will be a major milestone placing India as the third largest producer of atomic energy in the world after the USA and France.

Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned that the credit for this rapid stride goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who for the first time after Independence took the decision of approving 10 reactors in fleet mode in a single order and allowed nuclear installations to be developed under joint ventures with PSUs as a result, today India is sixth largest in the world in the number of reactors that are functional and second largest in the total number of reactors including those under construction.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, one hallmark of the Modi regime is that for the first time, in a big way, the atomic energy is being used for applications in diverse sectors like, for example, for increasing shelf life of fruits like apple and agriculture products, for using latest technologies in treatment of Cancer and other diseases etc. He said, India has shown the world the way for using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

(With inputs from PIB)

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An old woman named Devaki living in Madhamangalam near Bandalur in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district was in shock when she received an electricity bill of  ₹25,071.

The house in which the lady lives has just 3 bulbs.

The lady had received the bill as SMS in her mobile phone. Her son had complained to the electiricity board office in Serampore. However, no action was taken for days. Other residents of the area too had lodged complaints upon which an investigation was carried out by the authorities. 

It was revealed that the man who comes to take the ‘reading of the meter’ named Ramesh had calculated the readings without visiting the houses.

The erroneous accountant has now been fired.

(With inputs from News 18 Tamil Nadu)

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The MK Stalin-led DMK government in Tamil Nadu is working to install electricity meters for agricultural power connections.

This has attracted criticism from the Opposition AIADMK which has asked the government to halt the move immediately.

AIADMK Coordinator O. Panneerselvam in a statement hit out at the ruling DMK for its ‘double standards’ on the issue of metering farm connections as the latter had opposed the very same move when it was in Opposition.

Referring to Stalin government rolling out the 1 lakh farm electricity connection scheme in September, Panneerselvam said that the Chief Minister did not mention anything about metering such connections.

There is an apprehension among farmers that the metering exercise is only to levy consumption charges in future, he said.

Hence, the government should stop installing meters and Stalin must take steps to halt the Centre’s move in respect of metering, the AIADMK leader added.

Panneerselvam, also former Chief Minister, slammed the DMK for shifting its stand on issues, based on whether it was in the opposition or on the ruling side.

The deputy leader of the opposition also said that when the AIADMK was in power in 2002, the DMK opposed a proposal for installation of meters for farm connections and had even staged protests against the move to ‘politicise’ the matter.

He also noted that such a stand was taken by the DMK despite the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa clarifying that free electricity would continue and the move to install meters was only to record consumption to enable the government to determine demand and supply requirements.

‘The DMK, which criticised it then, is now doing the same thing (metering),’ he said mocking at the ruling party.

Here is the full statement.

அதிமுக செய்தால் அது "ரத்தம்" திமுக மேற்கொண்டால் "தக்காளி சட்னியா"?விவசாய இணைப்புகளில் மின்மீட்டர் பொருத்தும் பணி விவசாயிகளிடம் அச்சத்தை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது.

மின்மீட்டர் பொருத்தும் பணியை உடனடியாக நிறுத்திவிட்டு, மத்திய அரசின் உத்தரவை ரத்து செய்வதற்கு தேவையான நடவடிக்கையை எடுத்திடுக! pic.twitter.com/aCwkBxE0N5

— O Panneerselvam (@OfficeOfOPS) December 28, 2021

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