Power connection of Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) at Kalamassery, a Central public sector enterprise, and related facilities was restored on Wednesday evening following the intervention of Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and Industries Minister P. Rajeeve.
Mr. Krishnankutty signed the reconnection note and forwarded it to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). HMT had been staring at an imminent crisis after the KSEB disconnected power supply, demanding clearance of dues amounting to ₹30 crore. As a result, production, including work for naval shipyard, came to a halt on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
However, sources in the HMT management declined to divulge the finer terms of reconnection other than confirming that power had indeed been restored. “Dues demanded by the KSEB are much inflated and will be cleared after negotiations. We cannot reveal more at this point,” they said.
The KSEB had issued a disconnection notice to the HMT management on December 8. This was the third such notice served this year, the first in March, followed by another in May. On both occasions, disconnection was avoided after interventions by State ministers.
The power reconnection is subject to the condition that HMT will pay ₹20 lakh on Monday and then hold discussions with the KSEB authorities to resolve the matter by January 15. Hopefully, supply will be restored shortly, said P. Krishnadas, secretary of HMT Employees Union (CITU).
Trade unions had earlier submitted a joint memorandum to the Chief Minister and the Industries Minister requesting restoration of power, including on humanitarian grounds. Power supply to HMT’s consumer stores and quarters, where more than 100 employees reside, was also disconnected, leaving them facing the prospect of living in darkness on Christmas eve.
Published – December 25, 2025 01:25 am IST
