Kozhikode, 11 September (H.S.): Former Electricity Minister M.M. Mani has accused the Kerala government of deliberately creating a power shortage to facilitate new electricity purchase agreements and allegedly earn commissions.

Launching a sharp attack on Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph over the continuing power crisis and unscheduled load shedding, Mani said the government lacked the foresight required to ensure uninterrupted supply. If the two leaders were incapable of managing the situation, they should resign and entrust the responsibility to competent people, he said.

Mani pointed out that Kerala could generate only about 40 per cent of its electricity requirement through hydropower projects even when the State received adequate rainfall and all generating stations operated at full capacity. The remaining 60 per cent had traditionally been procured from other States through various agreements.

The government should anticipate shortages during weak monsoons and declining reservoir levels and arrange alternative supplies in advance, he said. Electricity was still available in the market, but the authorities had failed to purchase the required quantity.

Mani alleged that governance required long-term planning, particularly in critical sectors such as electricity and public health. The priority of elected representatives should be public welfare and not personal financial gain, he added.

He also rejected Sunny Joseph's contention that the present crisis resulted from the previous LDF government cancelling a long-term power purchase agreement signed by former Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed during the Oommen Chandy government.

Mani said the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government had ruled the State for 10 years after the agreement was cancelled. Despite the devastating 2018 floods, damage to major hydropower projects and severe summer droughts, the LDF government had maintained electricity supply without imposing power cuts, he claimed.

He urged the government to stop blaming previous administrations and take immediate action to end the hardship faced by consumers across Kerala.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman