Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

CM rejects free power demand out of hand

By Our Staff Reporter

N. PALAGIRI (CUDDAPAH DT.) July 7. The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, dubbed the free power promise being made by Congress leaders one of their `bankrupt and vote bank politics'.

Addressing a Janmabhoomi grama sabha in N. Palagiri village in Veerapunayunipalle mandal in Kamalapuram constituency, Mr. Naidu made the remarks in reaction to people's demand for free power supply. Free power could be announced but electric poles would remain without power supply, he remarked to state that it was not a feasible proposition.

Questioning why free power was not being given in 15 States ruled by Congress including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan Governments, Mr. Naidu asked why the promise was being made only in the State. He asserted that his Government ensured additional generation of 4,200 MW in the last eight years and hiked power tariff once during the last five years. He assured that Rs. 7,000 crores would be spent during the next four years for augmenting infrastructure in the power sector.

When Mr. Naidu stated that Rayalaseema Thermal Power Station in Muddanur mandal in the district achieved the highest plant load factor this year, a youth told him that the RTPP was directed to reduce its generation as well as PLF. Feigning ignorance about the directions, the Chief Minister promised to discuss the issue with the Genco CMD and render justice. The RTPP second stage of 500 MW would be taken up soon, he added.

He assured to get the people's complaints that they were receiving inflated power bills, checked by an independent agency. When people demanded taking up of Gandikota reservoir under Galeru Nagari project, Mr. Naidu said the Government was examining three options available on the project. The Government was prioritising on projects, without starting all of them at once, he said.

Stating that the expenditure on agriculture had become a burden on farmers, the Chief Minister advocated modern farm techniques and remarked that even Karnataka Government was not providing farmers as many facilities as in A.P. Interest on cooperative loans to the tune of Rs. 600 crores was waived and crop insurance of Rs. 100 crores would be disbursed within a couple of days, he said.

The Government mooted formation of two lakh Rythu Mitra groups among farmers and would extend financial assistance ranging between Rs. 350 crores and Rs. 500 crores, Mr. Naidu said. The State had the largest number of 4.50 lakh DWCRA groups in the world, which had 60 lakh members, he said. He wanted at least one member of each family to join DWCRA.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• 30 Cong., TRS men hurt in lathicharge
• Govt. allays fears over Manjira project
• Kodela puts blame on doctors
• Over 400 kids affected in Karimnagar
• ZP chiefs chalk out stir plan
• KCR accuses Govt. of failure
• Nizamabad Collector confirms seven viral fever deaths
• Karnataka, A.P. to join hands on RDS
• CM rejects free power demand out of hand
• Two naxals killed in encounter
• Doctors seek withdrawal of GO

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu