Power staff oppose Corporatisation move

PUDUCHERRY: Staff of the electricity department held a rally from the department to the head post office on Wednesday to oppose the government’s move to corporatise the department.  The Government  had taken an in-principle decision  to corporatise the electricity department of UT in line with the requirements of the Electricity Act,2003, on the advise of Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), said K Madhivanan, superintending engineer-I, heading the department.There are around 2000 staff working in the electricity department who feel that the conversion into a corporation would affect  their services, promotions  as well as pension benefits.  P Velmurugan, convenor of the joint federation of all associations of electricity department,  said even public would be affected as there would be an hike in tariffs.  Power Cut ScheduleThe electricity department has announced  power cuts for nine days from February 23 to attend to maintenance work. Supply will be interrupted from February 23 to 27 and for four days from March 2 to 5 from 6 am to 10 a m and 4 pm to 9 pm.The following areas will be affected: Marapalam to Rajiv Gandhi statue, Beach Road, Ellaipillaichavady, Nellithope, Thiruvalluvar Salai, Saram, Kosapalayam, Kamaraj Salai, Maraimalaiadigal Salai, Orleanpet, Govind Salai, Ilango Nagar, Chittankudu, Brindavanam,  Vallalar Salai, Balaji Nagar, Vambakeerapalayam, Dubrayanpet, Nethaji Nagar, Vanarapet, Colas Nagar, Kurussukuppam,  S V Patel road, Vaithikuppam, Muthialpet, Thengaithittu, Murungapakkam and Ariyankuppam.