Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary Dr. SG Suryah has urged the DMK government to provide a clear and detailed clarification regarding widespread reports both on social media and in mainstream news that suggest an upcoming hike in electricity tariffs. This call comes despite Electricity Minister Sivasankar publicly stating that there are no plans for a tariff increase that would impact domestic consumers. However, SG Suryah expressed concern over the vague nature of the minister’s assurance, questioning whether the state government is preparing to shift the burden onto industrial users and MSMEs instead

In a strongly worded social media post, Suryah questioned the ambiguity in the government’s communication. He wrote, “Electricity Tariff Hike? ‘Half-Current (Baked)’ Explanation Isn’t Enough!” 

Referring to widespread media reports about a possible 3.16% increase starting 1st July, Suryah questioned whether the government intends to shield domestic consumers while silently passing the burden onto industrial users, especially MSMEs. He emphasized that such a move could significantly impact the nearly 50 lakh small and micro-entrepreneurs in the state. With ongoing power outages already affecting daily life, Suryah argued that the state owes its citizens a clear, transparent statement rather than a half-baked clarification.

SG Suryah stated, “News has been circulating in both traditional and social media that electricity tariffs in Tamil Nadu will be increased starting 1st July. The news reports state that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC), having agreed to the conditions of the All India Consumer Price Index, is in a situation where it must revise electricity tariffs every July. Accordingly, a 3.16% electricity tariff hike is planned from 1st July. The media also reports that similar hikes have occurred in previous years, and this July will see another increase in the same manner.

He further said “However, there’s another piece of news reporting that Electricity Minister Sivasankar has clarified this. Minister Sivasankar reportedly said, ‘A detailed explanation was given on 20.05.2025 that there would be no electricity tariff hike for domestic power connections in Tamil Nadu. Nevertheless, rumors about electricity tariffs continue to spread. Currently, no order regarding an electricity tariff hike has been issued by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission. Even if the Regulatory Commission issues any order regarding electricity tariffs, there will be no electricity tariff hike that would affect domestic consumers when it is implemented.”

Adding further “From the Minister’s explanation, another doubt arises. It’s mentioned that ‘even if the Regulatory Commission issues any order regarding electricity tariffs, domestic consumers will not be affected.’ This implies that while there might be no electricity tariff hike for domestic consumption (home), there could be one for commercial and industrial establishments. This is the indirect warning hidden within the statement that we must take into account. There are approximately 50 lakh small and micro-entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu. If there is an electricity tariff hike for small businesses, it would affect crores of people whose livelihoods depend on them, wouldn’t it? If the electricity tariff hike is not for homes but for small and micro-enterprises, aren’t small and micro-entrepreneurs also going to their businesses from their homes? Even now, unannounced power cuts are occurring intermittently, day and night, in various parts of the state, causing distress to the public. Therefore, regarding electricity tariffs, it is the duty of the Tamil Nadu government to provide a clear and complete explanation, rather than a ‘half-current’ explanation, as they say in the villages.” 

மின் கட்டண உயர்வா? ‘அரை கரண்ட்’ விளக்கம் போதாது!

வரும் ஜூலை 1 ம் ஆம் தேதி முதல் தமிழ்நாட்டில் மின் கட்டணம் உயர்த்தப்படுகிறது என்று ஊடகங்களிலும் சமூக ஊடகங்களிலும் செய்திகள் வந்துள்ளன.

தமிழ்நாடு மின்சார ஒழுங்குமுறை ஆணையம், ஆல் இந்தியா கன்சுயூமர் பிரைஸ் இண்டெக்ஸ் நிறுவனத்தின்… pic.twitter.com/yXaOhJ7EiM

— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) June 30, 2025

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post BJP Leader SG Suryah Asks Dravidian Model Govt To Provide Clear Clarification And Assurance About Not Increasing Power Tariffs appeared first on The Commune.

Just days after the assault on Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Armstrong, another Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) functionary was attacked by four unknown assailants wielding sickles in Cuddalore. This incident has sent shockwaves throughout Tamil Nadu.

Sivashankar, a PMK functionary residing in Surappanayakan chavadi, was assaulted with a sickle by a group of four individuals who then fled the scene. He has been hospitalized in critical condition at Cuddalore Government Hospital. This incident has caused unrest in Cuddalore, with the police actively investigating the attackers.

#BREAKING || பாமக பிரமுகருக்கு அரிவாள் வெட்டு

கடலூரில் பாமக பிரமுகருக்கு அரிவாள் வெட்டு – மருத்துவமனையில் கவலைக்கிடம்

தாக்குதல் நடத்திய 4 பேர் கொண்ட மர்ம கும்பலுக்கு போலீசார் வலைவீச்சு #BreakingNews #Cuddalore #PMKExecutive #Police #ThanthiTV pic.twitter.com/YFnXM4Dlrk

— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) July 6, 2024

Only a day back, K Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu state unit president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), was brutally murdered on 5 July 2024 evening near Perambur in Chennai. He was attacked by a gang of six assailants while chatting with friends and supporters near his residence. The attackers, armed with machetes and sickles, threatened anyone who tried to intervene, causing Armstrong’s friends to flee. His family rushed to the scene upon hearing his cries, only to find him grievously wounded and lying in a pool of blood. He was quickly taken to a nearby private hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

According to police sources, the gang arrived on three motorcycles around 7 pm, carried out the attack, and fled before supporters could respond. Senior police officials including Deputy Commissioner I Eswaran and Assistant Commissioner Praveen Kumar visited the crime scene. A special investigative team under Sembium Inspector of Police Chiranjeevi has been formed to apprehend the suspects, and security in the area has been tightened to prevent further violence.

The police are exploring the possibility of a rivalry with a criminal from North Chennai, currently incarcerated, as a motive for the murder. In August 2023, Arcot Suresh and his associate Madhavan were assaulted by a gang near Pattinampakkam in Chennai. During the incident, Arcot Suresh tragically lost his life, while Madhavan survived. Five months later, Madhavan himself was killed in another attack by a separate gang. Ponnai Balu, the brother of Arcot Suresh, has been implicated in the murder of BSP leader Thennarsu back in 2015. His other brother, known as bomb Saravanan, is suspected in the murder of Arcot Suresh last year, according to police sources. Currently, Ponnai Balu is accused in the murder of BSP leader Armstrong. He is the sibling of Arcot Suresh, a notorious criminal who was slain by a rival gang in Chennai the previous year. Chennai police have arrested Arcot Balu, along with seven others, in connection with Armstrong’s murder a senior police official confirmed.

Armstrong, a lawyer by profession, had a troubled past with previous criminal cases, though his legal troubles reportedly ceased a decade ago. He rose to prominence through his association with former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, organizing rallies in Chennai and establishing himself as a prominent Dalit leader despite the BSP’s limited influence in Tamil Nadu. So far, 8 suspects have been arrested.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post PMK Functionary Attacked By 4 ‘Unknown’ Assailants With Sickles In Cuddalore, Admitted To Hospital In Serious Condition appeared first on The Commune.

Ever since the inauguration, the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) at Kilambakkam has been in the centre of controversies. Issues such as traffic congestion, hasty modifications, issues of alleged corruption, and destruction of a Vinayakar temple have all irked the commuters and long-time residents in the area. Passengers travelling to the south of Tamil Nadu complain of fewer amenities at the terminus and say it is difficult to reach the terminus from the nearby Vandalur Railway Station.

In a recent development, the omnibus associations are up in arms against the state transport department. The president of the omnibus owners’ association said, ‘On a typical day, approximately 1,000 buses are in operation, yet the KCBT currently has capacity for only 144 buses. Despite the government’s commitment to construct a bus stand for omni buses on a five-acre plot in Mudichur, the project remains unfinished, with an anticipated completion time of six additional months.’ He also added, ‘Despite repeatedly bringing up this matter in various meetings with government officials, no solution was offered. Unexpectedly, on January 22, a statement was released stating that, starting from January 24, omni buses would no longer be permitted to operate. This abrupt decision has created confusion among passengers who had made reservations 30 to 90 days in advance. We urge the Chief Minister and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to intervene. The Transport department should empathize with the passengers’ predicament and work towards a suitable resolution.’

On the state transport side, Chennai Metropolitan Department Authority Minster PK Sekar Babu said a government cannot operate based on the desires or preferences of the Omni Bus Owners Association. He further added, “Before the commencement of the terminus at Kilambakkam, dialogues took place between the government and the omnibus associations. The associations initially consented to initiate bus operations gradually from December 30, 2023 (the inauguration day) and subsequently requested a later start date from January 24. However, their current stance asserts that they are unprepared to commence operations from Kilambakkam.”

As a result of the loggerhead, a statement has been issued from the transport department which reads, “If any violation is noticed, severe action will be taken against the operator as per provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act and rules.” Furthermore, the Tamil Nadu Transport department announced on Wednesday (24 January 2024) that omni buses heading south will be prohibited from commencing their journeys at the Koyambedu bus terminus and entering Chennai. Instead, they are required to initiate their journeys from the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) located in Kilambakkam, Chengalpattu district in Tamil Nadu.

Transport Commissioner A Shanmuga Sundaram had clarified on Tuesday (23 January 2024) that there is parking space for 250 private omni buses at the KCBT and associated facilities such as booking counters and dormitory had been created for the crew members.

To remedy the situation surrounding the woes of passengers and omnibus associations, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority held a meeting to discuss these issues, chaired by the state Transport Minister SS Sivasankar. However, the decisions arrived at the meeting have not been divulged.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Kilambakkam Kalaignar Bus Terminus Fiasco: Omni Bus Owners Demand Operations From Koyambedu CMBT, DMK Govt Threatens Action appeared first on The Commune.