Tangedco to seek electricity bill waiver for Gaja-hit areas

“Electricity Minister P Thangamani will return from the cyclone-affected districts on Wednesday and meet Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and request him to cancel the electricity bills for people affected by Gaja,” said a higher official attached to Tangedco, on condition of anonymity.

Cyclone Gaja wreaked havoc in 12 districts of the state and the most affected in the calamity was the electricity department as 2.17 lakh electric posts had fallen. To make it a tad easier for the cyclone-affected people, Tangedco had already extended the deadline for payment of electricity bills, twice in the last 10 days. 

However, looking at the scenario at districts, where normalcy is yet to be restored completely, the Electricity Department decided to approach the State government for complete waiver of bills. 

“Only domestic connection, which are Light Tension (LT), will be exempted from payment but commercial and other High Tension (HT) connections will not be considered for exemption,” the official added. 

The official also noted that they are unsure about the government’s decision as the Centre has allotted a miniscule amount as cyclone compensation for the state and the exchequer is facing financial crunch. The enumeration process is still on and the exact number of beneficiaries would be submitted to Palaniswami when Thangamani meets him.