-AP turned deficit while Telangana became surplus
-Selfish agenda causing collapse of power sector: Yeluri
-YCP interested in commissions but not better services
AMARAVATI: TDP Parchuru MLA Yeluri Sambasiva Rao on Saturday held the ‘selfish agenda’ of CM Jagan Mohan Reddy responsible for the ongoing power cuts and collapse of power sector in the State.
Sambasiva Rao said that while Chandrababu Naidu steered AP into a power surplus State, the inefficient policies of Jagan Reddy had caused a sever shortage. Despite good rains and availability of coal, power cuts were being imposed all over the State.
Addressing a press conference here, the TDP MLA said farmers were in danger of suffering losses in lakhs of acres due to water shortage. Maize, chilli, green gram and other crops were in flowering stage. Absence of any Government monitoring was posing serious threat to crops under the Nagarjuna Sagar ayacut.
Sambasiva Rao recalled how the TDP rule ensured 24 hour supply as against the present regime’s struggle to supply even four to five hours supply. Unscheduled power cuts became a constant worry in villages. Young people started playing cricket under transformers.
The TDP MLA deplored that a huge crisis was created in power sector in the past three years. Current charges were increased 6 times. Over Rs. 30,000 Cr additional burden was placed on the people. Surcharges were collected. Meters were being fixed on agricultural motors. Now, people were being punished with power cuts.
Sambasiva Rao said Chandrababu Naidu promised to reduce current charges if TDP would win 2019 elections. It was because there was scope for solar and wind power in addition to 960 MW of Polavaram and 50 MW of Nagarjuna Sagar hydel power. Instead of exploring such options, the YCP rule was opting to buy peak hour power at Rs. 14 to Rs. 17 per unit.
The TDP MLA asked why the power sector could not be improved despite massive multi-crore loans brought by the State. In the past, Chandrababu Naidu efficiently spent Rs. 36,000 Cr and improved the distribution and transmission systems.
Sambasiva Rao said the present rulers were only interested in commissions in the PPAs and not at all interested in repairing power lines or irrigation canals. The Government has started setting up pre-paid meters in towns and cities in order to collect power charges in advance.
The TDP MLA expressed concern that a prospective AP went into deficit while the disadvantaged Telangana became surplus. AP got 27,310 MW capacity but producing only 30,000 million units. Telangana got 14,408 MW capacity but generating 30,091 mu. A smaller state like Chattisgarh was producing 73,084 mu while having just 24,659 MW capacity.
