Tamil Nadu’s power crisis: Poor planning, staff shortage and ₹35 per unit of electricity

Tamil Nadu’s recurring power cuts have raised questions about electricity procurement, infrastructure maintenance and staff shortages. D Jayasankar, general secretary of the Central Organisation of Tamil Nadu Electricity Employees, tells South First that nearly 90% of scheduled maintenance work has been neglected over the past seven years and that the electricity department needs around 45,000 additional field workers.
He also warns that Tamil Nadu may have to purchase electricity at ₹35 per unit because of inadequate advance planning, compared with ₹8–₹15 per unit through advance contracts, according to his assessment.
Why is the state facing a power shortage even after summer? How are staff vacancies affecting repairs and maintenance? And could expensive electricity purchases increase the financial burden on consumers?
Watch the full report for the key concerns raised by the electricity employees’ union and the steps it says the Tamil Nadu government must take to address the crisis.