Tamil Nadu electricity minister V Senthil Balaji has alleged discrepancy between records and stock on hand. (File photo)

Alleging discrepancy between records and stock on hand, Tamil Nadu electricity minister V Senthil Balaji on Friday said that about 2.4 lakh tonnes of coal has gone missing at the North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS). The loss is pegged at Rs 85 crore as per initial estimates.
“This has happened because of the inefficiency of the AIADMK government. We will set right the irregularities and provide a transparent administration,” the minister said. The state-run power utility, Tangedco, has ordered a probe into coal stocks at Tuticorin and Mettur thermal power stations.
A committee of senior Tangedco officials, which held an investigation on August 4 and 9, found discrepancies as the records did not reflect the actual coal stock as on March 31, 2021. “A probe is on to find out whether coal was unloaded from ship or not, or if the registers were manipulated. The offenders, whoever they are, will face action,” the minister told TOI.