The State of Tamil Nadu has a demand of 11000 MW of electricity but it generates only 8000 MW. It purchases power from Private Producers at the rate of Rs.7/- to Rs.15/- per unit to meet the additional requirement although the consumers are charged only @ Rs.3.50 per unit. This involves the extra cost of Rs.1.75 crore per day.
The Power Manager viz., the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board is alarmed over the poll promises made by both the political parties DMK and AIADMK on the eve of general elections to the state assembly for free distribution of Mixies, Grinders, Fans, Fridges and Washing Machines. The compensation to the TNEB or its distribution company arranged as of late is received in instalments through the state's annual budget provisions throwing its finances out of gear many a time.
There is no doubt that such free distribution of electrical
gadgets to the lower middle and deprived sections of the society would not only act as a means of social justice but also induce an additional economic acitivity namely an increase in the production and sale of such gadgets giving benefits to the manufacturers. Indirectly such a step would result in additional demand for power on a regular basis to run those Gadgets putting extra strain on the energy producers and suppliers at such a heavy cost as mentioned above.
Every state government promises and tries to generate and supply the electric power at a reasonable cost without any power-cuts but many of them fail miserably as we have seen so far with one or two exceptions here and there. Demand for power is bound to increase manifold in the days to come in tune with the development and additional purchasing power in the hands of consumers.
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