Escalating its attack on the AIADMK dispensation, Union Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar today alleged the Tamil Nadu government was not opting for the Centre-led power reforms initiatives and was only interested in protecting those pilfering electricity.
Referring to Uday scheme, a Centre-led power reforms initiative, he said if implemented, it would bring tremendous benefits to honest power consumers.
"But the Tamil Nadu government is not interested in benefitting honest electricity consumers, but dishonest who put unauthorised connections and steal electricity... The government is interested in protecting them," he said.
Claiming that Uday was appreciated by 90 per cent of the people in 18 states, he said it was not unfortunately signed by Tamil Nadu. "I hope one day Tamil Nadu will realise and sign it."
Days ago, his Cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal had targeted the state government over the same issue and claimed that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was "inaccessible".
Javadekar said the Uday scheme would ensure turnaround of discoms (power distribution companies) and bring them out of debt (as) "they will have less interest rates... 30 per cent less interest burden and there are many other benefits."
Citing another central scheme, UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All), he said he really failed to understand why Tamil Nadu had not taken up this scheme.
He said the scheme directly benefited people, reducing their power bills. It is a climate change initiative "but Tamil Nadu government is not interested in any of these".
Explaining how prices of LED bulbs had come down due to efforts like the scheme, he claimed that "nine crore people, households across country have benefitted" through cost effective LED lights and they are saving on energy bills.
He also blamed what he called "Tamil Nadu Government's attitude" on an environmental issue over the Kasturirangan report, vis-a-vis Western Ghats that came under his Ministry.
Of the six states along Western Ghats (Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu), only Tamil Nadu had not given its proposal and after continuous follow-up, they said they needed time till May 16, he said.
"But we are following it up for one year. Kerala and other states gave their reports months ago. But Tamil Nadu did not submit," he said.
Javadekar said the BJP government was interested in good governance and does not discriminate against any government. "We believe in cooperative federalism. If the state is not taking lead, people will suffer," he said.
Earlier, he chaired a meeting of top state BJP leaders where issues on the May 16 polls were discussed, including release of the remaining list of candidates.
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Later, speaking to reporters in Puducherry after attending a party rally, Javadekar rubbished Congress' claim that the NDA government was trying to topple its party-run governments, saying "it is not not correct. We do not believe in instability and it is the duty of every party to keep its ranks together."
He said the Prime Minister-Chief Minister cooperative federalism is the hallmark of the Modi government.
Talking about Puducherry, Javadekar said, "The Union Territory is ripe for change and people here want a corruption-free (government) and good governance as is being showcased by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi."
"As a UT, Puducherry is our commitment and we want to develop it in keeping with the expectations of the people. We want people'smandate to reach this goal," he said.
Stating that BJP had started poll preparations in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, he said all organisations and parties believing in Modi's leadership and wanting to be part of the good governance and growth were welcome to join them.
Asked if BJP would go it alone in the May 16 Assembly polls here or firm up alliance with ruling AINRC here, the Union Minister said "we always welcome all those parties and organisations believing in good governance of the Prime Minister."
Earlier addressing a BJP rally, Javadekar, in charge of party's affairs in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, said the BJP would come out Vision Document for development of Puducherry ensuring welfare of all sections of people.
He listed various schemes and programmes implemented by the NDA government and also said that the 'One Rank, One Pension' scheme which was not brought into force by the previous regime for years had now been implemented.
