Arcot N. Veerasamy

CHENNAI: The Government would take a decision on allowing private players to invest in strengthening of power grids after discussions, Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy told the Assembly on Tuesday.

Answering a supplementary question from M. Appavu (DMK), Mr. Veerasamy said the infrastructure had to be strengthened to transmit the power produced by windmills to other areas. When the State approached the Power Grid Corporation, the Corporation said that it would be able to finance only up to about Rs.5000 crore. Grid strengthening was an expensive affair and the Electricity Board estimated that the work would cost about Rs.10,000 crore. The Board did not have any additional funds to bear the cost.

Hence the Government was considering involving private players in the process.

A decision would be taken after discussions with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, he said. Infrastructure augmentation works across the State were on to ensure that there were no low voltage problems, Mr. Veerasamy said in response to a question from S.K. Vedarathinam (DMK). A Rs.2000-crore project to set up 325 sub-stations was on and once the work was completed, the low voltage problem in many areas would be solved, he said.

Rise in tourists' arrival

Answering a question from G. John Joseph (CPI-M), Tourism Minister Suresh Rajan said the number of tourists arriving in the State rose by 27 per cent compared to last year.

This year 15.35 lakh foreign and 3.92 crore Indian tourists visited the State, he said.

There were 110 peacocks in protected areas of the State and another 4884 peacocks in unprotected areas, Forests Minister N. Selvaraj said in response to a question from S. Rajakumar (Congress). Members of the AIADMK staged a walkout during question hour alleging that they were not given an opportunity to counter the allegations made by Food Minister E.V. Velu.

In reply to a question from P.K. Sekar Babu (AIADMK), Mr. Velu said towards the end of the tenure of the previous government, ration cards were given indiscriminately. About 15 lakh cards were found to be bogus and the department was in the process of cancelling them.

Angered by this, Deputy Leader of the Opposition O. Panneerselvam, and AIADMK whip K.A. Sengottaiyan demanded that they be given a chance to reply to the Minister.

The AIADMK members followed suit, demanding that the Speaker give them a chance to reply.

Mr. Panneerselvam, who was given a chance to speak, said the Minister should make it clear if all the bogus cards were from among the 39 lakh cards given. The Minister gave instances of bogus cards being found.

At this, Mr. Panneerselvam wanted a chance to counter. When this was denied the AIADMK staged a walk out.

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