KEWF alleges foul play in power plant shutdown

KOCHI: The Kerala Electricity Workers Federation (KEWF) has alleged that the Brahmapuram diesel power plant was shut down to hand it over to the Smart City project.After inaugurating the protest march and dharna taken out to the Brahmapuram diesel plant on Friday, KEWF state president P N Rajan said that the plant had been closed since June 16 even after spending Rs 40 crore for maintenance work.If the present situation continues, the plant may remain closed for ever. The state is undergoing a severe power crisis after the blast at the Moolamattam power station last month. But the government has been lax in making the diesel plant functional. The government should take steps to operate at least one generator at the plant during the peak hours.The government should withdraw the decision to redeploy engineers and staff on contract basis, he said.KEWF district president K K Giresh and working president S H Shanavaz participated in the march.