The Telugu Desam (TDP) has alleged that Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who is also holding the power portfolio, has messed up the power sector due to lack of foresight and planning leading to a severe crisis affecting all sectors.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, former Minister Mandava Venkateswara Rao said the government’s inability to tie-up gas and coal supply to power producers in the State and its failure to buy power from producers outside the State was affecting domestic, agriculture and industrial sectors badly.
As if the drought conditions, lack of water in irrigation projects and depletion of groundwater table were not enough, the erratic power supply to farm sector was affecting standing crops under open and tube wells in all regions, particularly in Telangana. Pained by crops affected due to irregular power supply, farmers were taking to streets in Nalgonda, Warangal, Nizamabad, Kurnool, West Godavari and other districts, the TDP leader said.
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The nine hour supply to farm sector promised during polls was long-forgotten by the government and it had failed in giving even seven-hour uninterrupted supply. Agriculture sector was getting only three to four hour supply, he stated. He demanded that the Chief Minister review the situation immediately and ensure seven-hour supply by buying power.
Plea for single-phase power
The TDP leader requested the government to supply at least single-phase power to domestic sector in rural areas as the power cut was ranging from 8 to 12 hours there. The TDP would stage protests at electricity sub-stations across the State on August 21 and 22 to stir the government to act on the problem, he stated.
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Meanwhile, TDP general secretary Varla Ramaiah suggested Ministers facing charges on the controversial 26 GOs to turn approvers in the CBI probe instead of sulking that they were being victimised and those who enjoyed benefits were fine. Responding to the open letter of Y.S. Vijayamma to TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu he asked the YSR Congress party to field BC candidates in seats allotted to BCs by TDP to ensure election of BCs.
BJP to stage dharnas
Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and activists will stage dharnas in front of the sub-stations in all mandals in the State on August 21,demanding seven-hour power supply for agriculture to save crops.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he said the State was facing unprecedented power crisis and criticised the government for lacking foresight in augmenting the capacity. He said farmers were getting power only for two or three hours a day. Referring to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s promise to make agriculture profit-oriented, he wondered how he would achieve it with inadequate supply of power, seeds and fertilizer.
Observing that Tamil Nadu was getting power from the national grid, he urged the Chief Minister exert pressure on the Centre for similar supply to the State. He said power shortage increased from 45 MU (million units) to 65 MU and wanted Chief Minister to appoint a Minister for Power and also lead an all-party delegation to the Centre.
Accusing Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy of pursuing his “personal agenda” during Indiramma Baata, he wanted him to take up people’s agenda.