Assembly Debate Heats Up: MK Stalin Challenges TVK Govt on Power Tariff Hikes

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated exchange today as Leader of the Opposition MK Stalin questioned the TVK government's recent decision to adjust industrial power tariffs. Stalin argued that the sudden hike would cripple the MSME sector, which is already struggling with rising raw material costs. He demanded an immediate rollback, citing the potential for job losses across the state. In response, the Treasury benches defended the move, stating that the adjustment was necessary to stabilize the financial health of TANGEDCO, which has been burdened by mounting debt. The government claimed that the tariff revision is targeted only at high-consumption industrial units and will not impact domestic consumers or small-scale farmers. Despite the government's clarification, the DMK staged a walkout, protesting what they termed as an 'anti-industry' policy. The Speaker has called for an all-party meeting tomorrow to discuss the industrial power structure, as the opposition continues to mount pressure on the administration to reconsider the fiscal burden on the manufacturing sector.