Farmers given one lakh free power connections as promised: EB Minister

CHENNAI: State Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji said the government has completed providing one lakh free power connections to farmers in the state. “The chief minister announced that one lakh free power connections will be given to farmers, who are waiting for more than 20 years in September 2021. Within the six months, all the connections have been given,” he told reporters. Chief minister MK Stalin will meet all the beneficiaries through video conference on April 16. Stalin will also hand over connection cards to 100 farmers. Explaining the improvements in power generation, Senthil Balaji said that power generation in the state has increased by 30 per cent. In 2021-2022, as much as 20,391 MU was generated. “Despite coal shortage, the power generation has been increased. We have floated tenders to procure 4.50 lakh tonnes of coal from abroad, ” he added.