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NT Bureau
Chennai, July 3:

        Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has urged employees and workers of Tamilnadu Electricity Board (TNEB) to strive to provide uninterrupted power supply to the general public.

        Addressing a function to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of TNEB here yesterday, Karunanidhi announced cash incentives for employees, pensioner and contract worker to the tune of Rs 45.81 crore.

        Unveiling plaques for new power projects totalling 2500 MW, the Chief Minister announced cash prize of Rs 1,000 each to all employees, pensioners and family pensioners of the TNEB totalling Rs 14.58 crore and a special incentive increment to the existing employees. He noted that the cash prize would benefit 72,723 employees, 46,035 pensioners and 27,055 family pensioners. 'The special increment will cost an additional annual expenditure of Rs 29.87 to the TNEB,' he said.

        Karunanidhi also announced a cash prize of Rs 500 to 21,401 contract workers and 5,646 part-timers as well costing the Board Rs 1.35 crore. He said the various demands of pensioners would be considered during pay revision.

        Installing new transformers, Karunanidhi said steps had been taken to install 10,000 transformers throughout Tamiladu at a cost of Rs 160 crore to overcome power failure. He said that already installed new transformers had become operational from today.

        The new projects are thermal power stations in north Chennai, Mettur and Tuticorin and a hydroelectric project at Kundah, all of 500 MW capacity.

        Laying foundation stone for the golden jubilee commemorative building, State Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy recalled the growth of the board during the last 50 years. Local Administration Minister M K Stalin released the function souvenir.

        Chief Secretary L K Tripathy, TNEB chairman Hansraj Verma and Principal Secretary to Energy Department R Satapathy were also present.