CPI(M) seeks withdrawal of power tariff hike in Tamil Nadu

The CPI(M) held a demonstration in Chennai urging the State government to withdraw the hike in power tariff.

Addressing the cadres, the party's South Chennai district unit secretary, K. Bheem Rao, said the hike would severely affect those who were living in rented houses.

“The owners of the houses are charging more than the normal amount for electricity from the tenants. Now they will further increase the charge,” he said.

Thermal power projects

Mr. Rao said the government should take steps to achieve the full potential of the thermal power projects instead of providing subsidies to private players in the power sector.

District secretariat committee members A. Packiam, T.A. Latha and Nandagopal were among those who participated in the protest.

(Photos : Gavaskar Theekathir)

Police lathicharge SFI activists

The police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the SFI activists when the latter made a vain bid to enter the Collectorate demanding immediate redressal of the problems confronted by the students of the government hostels, schools and colleges in the district here on Tuesday. Tension prevailed in front of the Collectorate in the afternoon as the police chased away the protesters during a demonstration organised by the SFI demanding prompt action for the resolution of the problems in the social welfare hostels and other government educational institutions identified during a cycle yatra held under the aegis of the committee. Two student activists fainted in the melee.

 

SFI State general secretary K Chandramohan, district president Santhu Naik, general secretary K Narsimha Rao and others participated in the stir.

Later, the officials concerned of the social welfare, tribal welfare and backward classes welfare departments met the protesters outside the Collectorate and assured to resolve the problems already identified by the SFI district committee which fall under their purview. The four SFI activists, who earlier launched an indefinite hunger strike to press a charter of demands, called off their stir following the assurance.

A delegation of the SFI district committee earlier met the Collector N Nageshwar Rao and submitted a memorandum seeking the provision of protected drinking water, basic amenities, medical services and other requisite facilities to the students of the social welfare hostels and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)