Power supply to southern states to be hit by NLC strike: Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the strike by workers of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) would affect power supply to the southern states.

In a letter to Modi, the text of which was released to the media here on Tuesday, Jayalaltihaa requested the prime minister to instruct the coal ministry to look into the grievances of NLC workers and settle the issue amicably.

"Any further delay in the matter would adversely affect the power supply situation in Tamil Nadu and the southern states," Jayalalithaa said.

Referring to her letter dated July 22 on the issue, Jayalalithaa said there has been no positive development to resolve the issue.

"I have been informed that currently the workers have resorted to picketing against officers and contract workers which would effectively stop mining of lignite and power generation," she said.

She said NLC was one of the main suppliers of power to Tamil Nadu and supplies about 1,450 MW to the state.

As a result of the ongoing strike, it is apprehended that about 2,990 MW of power production will be affected, she said.