AIADMK and BJP attack Tamil Nadu government over high electricity purchase costs

Opposition leaders in Tamil Nadu have strongly criticised the State government led by TVK over a costly electricity purchase agreement. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami slammed the administration for buying power at ₹37 per unit, calling it the highest rate the State has ever paid to private players. He also alleged that the deal was an attempt to favour private companies and demanded that the agreement be cancelled. Pointing to other parts of the country, Mr. Palaniswami noted that the Andhra Pradesh government signed a deal on September 9 to buy power at ₹16 to ₹20 per unit. He added that no other State has signed agreements reaching ₹32 to ₹37 per unit like Tamil Nadu.

Reaction

The BJP State unit president Nainar Nagenthran also joined in the criticism against the TVK-led government, expressing shock over the expensive power purchase. Mr. Nagenthran argued that the State government should have planned ahead and taken proper safety measures to secure electricity procurement early, especially given the current weather conditions across the country.

Context

Power purchase agreements between state electricity boards and private power generators are common methods used to meet rising energy demands during peak consumption periods. Opposition parties frequently scrutinize these utility deals to question public spending transparency and resource management. State governments must regularly balance immediate power shortages against long-term financial costs for taxpayers.