Puducherry, May 25 (Agency) DMK Puducherry Unit Convener and leader of the opposition R Siva on Wednesday demanded that Chief Minister N Rangaswamy and Electricity Minister A Namassivayam should announce their stance on the privatization of Electricity Distribution Company (Discom) by the Union government in the Union Territory. In a statement here, Siva referred to the comment made by the Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday that a decision which will not affect anyone will be taken on the issue and said that the people are expecting a statement from Rangaswamy and Namassivayam rather than the Lt.Governor. Soundararajan appointed by the Centre could express only the views of the Central government, he said.
The leader of the opposition said now the employees are getting good salary and will get pension after retirement as they are now government servants. The DMK leader said many private industries here are not implementing the minimum wage to their workers and as such the electricity department employees will not get the minimum salary after privatization. Further, the power tariff would be revised as per their wish. At present the power tariff is being revised after a consultation meeting with the public by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commmission (JERC), Siva said. He said the people are expecting a decision from the Chief Minister and Electricity Minister who are elected by them and who will have to meet the people again to seek votes in future.