The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms Jayalalithaa, today sought the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh's intervention in postponing a proposal by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission on restricting grid frequency bandwidth.

In a letter to Dr Singh, she said such a “drastic” and “unwarranted move” may adversely affect the State, especially straining debt-ridden Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco, erstwhile TNEB).

The operating grid frequency bandwidth of 49.5 Hz to 50.2 Hz was proposed to be further restricted to 49.7 Hz to 50.2 Hz in the name of ensuring grid stability, she said in a letter to the Prime Minister.

“The unscheduled interchange charges at the minimum frequency of operation proposed are also raised from Rs 8.73/ unit to Rs 9/unit,” Ms Jayalalithaa, said.

The cost of power drawn at frequency below the set level would further increase the cost of power to the utility and Tangedco would be affected, she said.

Tangedco, which was already in a “debt trap”, would be subjected to severe financial stress on account of this move to an extent of over Rs 350 crore a year, Ms Jayalalithaa said.

“As the grid stability has not been adversely affected in the recent past with the existing frequency bandwidth and considering the prevailing power shortage situation, such a drastic move is totally unwarranted at this stage,” she said.

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