CPI(M) leader Mani cites lack of vision of UDF govt as reason for power crisis in Kerala

Idukki (Kerala), Jul 17 (PTI) Senior CPI(M) leader M M Mani on Friday accused the UDF government of not having the proper vision to address the power crisis being faced by people in the state. In a scathing attack on Chief Minister V D Satheesan and the government, Mani said even though complete electrification was carried out in the state, Kerala could never meet its power demand on its own. "We did not have sufficient power generation in the past and we do not have it now. We also know that due to lack of rain and the low water level of dams, power generation would be less. So, knowing all these facts, it should have been planned how to face this crisis," he told a TV channel. He claimed that the state would have received sufficient electricity had it made necessary power purchase agreements as was done by the previous Left administration. Mani's reaction comes a day after state Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph said that the lack of rain coupled with low water levels in dams, was resulting in less power generation while demand increases due to rising temperatures. In addition to that, the state was also obligated to return the power it had borrowed in March-April this year, and therefore, the power cuts were liable to continue for now as the government looks for solutions to the problem, he had said. PTI HMP KH