T ministers abstain from crucial meet on general strike

The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Employees appealed to the Telangana employees participating in the general strike to withdraw the agitation in the overall interest of the State.

The meeting held at Secretariat here on Thursday to discuss a solution for the on-going general strike lasted for hardly 10 minutes. Deputy Chief Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha and Minister Mukesh Goud attended the meeting while other ministers from Telangana - Danam Nagender, D Sreedhar Babu and Basava Sariah did not participate for unknown reasons. Chief Secretary SV Prasad, I&PR Commissioner Burra Venkatesam and other senior officials were also present.

In the meeting it has been decided to ensure smooth flow of power supply in order to protect the interests of the consumers. The officials have been instructed to make alternative arrangements in case the power supply was affected due to the strike in SCCL where the coal production has come to a grinding halt. The thermal plants will become non-function from Thursday midnight after the existing coal reserves exhaust in the NTPC. Later, only two units will be functional.

Therefore, the Cabinet Sub-Committee discussed the proposal to send requisition for supply of coal from Mahanadi Coals and Western Coal fields. The committee has also specifically directed the Genco officials to take all measures for the smooth supply of power.