CM directly intervenes to address power crisis, directs urgent measures

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Friday called an urgent meeting of top officials amid the worsening power crisis and continuing power cuts in the state. Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak and KSEB CMD M.G. Rajamanikam attended the meeting.

Satheesan directed officials to take immediate steps to address the crisis. He sought details on how much electricity could be purchased from outside the state at short notice, the cost involved and how quickly the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission could be approached.

The Chief Minister assured full government support for all measures taken by the KSEB to resolve the crisis. He also stressed the need for proper planning to ensure that the state does not face a similar situation in the coming weeks.

Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph did not attend the meeting as he was away from the state. Earlier on Friday, the minister had said that purchasing electricity from outside was difficult due to the power shortage across the country. He had also said that there was no scope for a miracle under the current circumstances and that the situation was likely to continue. It was against this backdrop that the Chief Minister called the emergency meeting.