-Rs 16,611 Cr burden through seven hikes: Venkatrao
-Jagan discriminated against poor families
AMARAVATI: TDP former energy minister K. Kala Venkatrao on Friday slammed the YSRCP Government for imposing a ‘burden of Rs 16,611 Cr’ on the people by increasing current charges for seven times in the past three years.
Venkatrao said it might be the first time in the history of the country that current charges were increased by 60 percent in one single hike in Andhra Pradesh. CM Jagan Reddy betrayed once again by breaking his swearing-in promise to reduce charges.
In a statement here, the TDP leader said the poor and lower middle class people using below 125 units would now have to pay Rs. 4.50 per unit. When compared to the previous rates, it would come to about a 57 percent hike. The ERC was trying to mislead the public by saying that consumers using below 75 units were paying Rs. 3.10 per unit as per old rates. They were actually paying just Rs. 2.60.
Venkatrao said that a total burden of Rs. 42,872 Cr was imposed on the people in the power sector in just three years. This included Rs. 16,611 Cr in the form of seven hikes in charges and another Rs. 26,261 Cr loans brought through the Power Finance Corporation Ltd.
The TDP leader pointed out that just 0.55 paisa hike was there in current charges for the rich sections who were using above 400 units. This was just a 6 percent hike. Whereas, severe burden was imposed on the poor sections by increasing charges by 57 percent. Jagan Reddy would go down in history as the only CM who discriminated against the poor families even in current charges.
Venkatrao said that there were power plants that could generate enough power to meet the needs of the State. But, the Government had failed miserably to use these plants in a proper manner. The daily requirement was 230 million units but the Government plants were being run at a 50 million units deficit.
The TDP leader slammed the Government for failing to complete the 960 MW hydel plant at Polavaram. If 5 percent works were completed, the 2nd stage of Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Station would have been completed to make available 800 MW. Jagan Reddy had not completed this and was trying to hand this over to the private management.
Venkatrao deplored that the Chief Minister was unable to provide an efficient leadership and consequently pushing the State into darkness. All sectors of the economy were being badly hit due to the YCP retrogressive policies.
