Kamal Haasan urges Centre, TN govt to prevent power outages

With the shortage of coal leading to power cuts in various states, the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) leader and Superstar, Kamal Haasan has urged the Central and the state government to ensure that there is no power cut in Tamil Nadu.

In a statement on Sunday, the actor-turned-politician said both Central and the state government must work together to make sure that there was no shortage of coal in Tamil Nadu.

Kamal Haasan expressed concerns over reports that the state has coal reserves only for four days, adding that there is still coal storage for 14 days.

The actor-turned-politician urged the DMK government to take up the matter with the Central government as industrialists in the state have already expressed concern about the possibilities of power cuts in the days to come if the coal supply is not maintained properly.

Under the previous DMK government from 2006-2011 there were unprecedented power cuts leading to several industries in the state shifting base to other states. The government must remain alert that such things do not recur in the state, Haasan added.

The MNM Chief said the industrial towns of Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Sivakasi had faced innumerable difficulties during the 2006-11 period due to power cuts and said common people faced the brunt of this as jobs were lost following industries shifting base.

The state government must coordinate properly with the Central government to maintain a steady flow of coal and to remain alert about its depletion, Haasan added.

The economy of the state was slowly recovering, adding that if power cuts are again witnessed, the state would face a huge loss.

--IANS

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