Jayalalithaa wants PM to intervene over power project funds

She has urged the PM to ask the finance ministry to sanction Rs.1,500 crore for setting up two power transmission projects for renewable energy in the state

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ask the finance ministry to sanction Rs.1,500 crore for setting up two power transmission projects for renewable energy in the state.

In a letter to Manmohan Singh dated Sep 15, the text of which was released to the media Monday, Jayalalithaa said the prime minister should intervene with the finance ministry to ensure that the two projects in Tamil Nadu are accorded the necessary approval and that the grant of Rs.1,500 crore from the National Clean Energy Fund is provided at the earliest.

The renewable power projects have already been cleared by the ministry of new and renewable energy, the Central Electricity Authority and recommended by the Planning Commission.

Disappointed at the inter-ministerial group (IMG) for not agreeing to provide assistance for the two projects, Jayalalithaa said she failed to see the justification for the IMG's stand as the project has the support of the ministries of power, new and renewable energy and of the Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission in a meeting on green energy corridors in August also decided to support Tamil Nadu's request for financing from the NCEF, she said.