Chennai: The Government of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday withdrew, within 48 hours of its announcement, a controversial order levying 50 per cent extra fees on households consuming over 600 units of electricity during every bi-monthly billing cycle.

"Though the measure was aimed at rationalising the equitable distribution of power to over 13 million consumers in the state due to the unusual electricity shortfall this year, following representations from the opposition, the move was given up," an official statement said.

The government announced power cuts lasting four hours in cities for households, about eight hours in rural areas and industrial hubs, reports IANS.

It prohibited the use of power supply by industrial consumers between 6-10 p.m. to facilitate uninterrupted supply to households, said the orders issued on Monday.

While farmers were assured of power for six hours every day to work their water pump sets to irrigate fields, the government warned commercial and political organisations from drawing power for ostentatious propaganda events.