CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday alleged that large-scale corruption took place in the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) during the previous DMK regime and that it had resulted in the fall in overall power generation. She also said her government would root out corruption in the TNEB and step-up power generation soon.Addressing a press conference at Fort St George here, the Chief Minister said during the AIADMK regime between 2001 and 2006, there was no power cut at all in Tamil Nadu. “We were supplying uninterrupted power to all our consumers. At that time, we had an installed capacity of 10,111 mw and were generating power to the full installed capacity. Besides, we were supplying surplus power to other States thus earning a revenue also.”“But during the DMK rule, power generation came down due to mismanagement, large-scale corruption in the TNEB and import of substandard coal. There was lack of proper maintenance also. Staggered closure of thermal units was not followed. As a result, for many days, there was no power generation in thermal units,” Jayalalithaa observed.She alleged that in order to purchase power from private players at an exorbitant rate, those in power then took a hefty commission. “We will see to it that generation reaches its full capacity,” she added. On whether tariff would be hiked as the TNEB was under heavy debt burden, the CM said her government would not take any decision that would burden public.Questioned whether the five Anna Universities of Technology would be merged and that the colour television scheme and Kalaignar Housing scheme would continue, Jayalalithaa replied: “Please find the answer in the Governor’s address to be delivered on June 3.”
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