HC: Probe into illegal fly ash sale

Chennai: Madras high court has directed the TN Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) to conduct an inquiry and submit a report on allegations that dry fly ash, supplied free of cost from the Mettur Thermal Power Station in Salem, was being sold in the open market at higher prices.In the five thermal power stations owned by the TN Electricity Board 10% of the dry fly ash generated is allotted free of cost to small and micro industries. The remaining quantity is sold to other companies. However, it was alleged that in the Salem, the fly ash meant for free distribution to small and micro industries was instead being illegally supplied to a private company, Muthukumar Traders, which in turn was selling it in the open market at higher prices. Santhosh of Salem filed a petition in the high court seeking action against Tangedco. First bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan directed the appearance of the director of Tangedco. On the hearing on Tuesday, the judges directed the committee to file a report in eight weeks.tnn