Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Vijayawada Zone office-bearers will make a strong pitch against the supply of power generated in residual Andhra Pradesh to Telangana post-bifurcation. CII Vijayawada Zone chairman V.V.M. Krishna said power was crucial for any form of growth. “This is a very sensitive and touchy issue for the people of Andhra Pradesh, and CII will present this point in all earnestness,” he said.
The office-bearers will attend a round table in Hyderabad on Thursday. Commissioner for Industries and Commerce Rajat Kumar will participate in the discussion.
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Earlier, power allocations were made in such a manner that no Discom was in a disadvantageous position. The Central Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL) and the Northern Power Distribution Company Limited (NPDCL) were allocated 2,000 MU more than their requirement, and at the same time, the Southern Powder Distribution Company Limited (SPDCL) and the Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (EPDCL) were allocated 2,000 MU less.
SPDCL and EPDCL were asked to make up for their deficit in power through transfer from CPDCL and NPDCL by paying Rs. 4.50 per unit.
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“This was just one way of transferring funds between Discoms to cover up losses. After the division of the State, how could the old arrangement be allowed to continue?” Mr. Krishna asked.
“Why should people of the residuary State of Andhra purchase their own power at higher rate and Discoms of Telangana get cheaper power from generating stations of Andhra Pradesh?” he asked.
While more than 61 per cent of available power is allocated to the Telangana region, only 38.53 per cent is allotted to Andhra. Hyderabad being the capital of A.P., more power was allotted by imposing severe power cut in rural areas.
“After separation, it will no longer be the responsibility of the residuary State of Andhra to give extra power to the capital of Telangana by allowing severe power cuts in its urban and rural areas,” he said.
ConsumptionThe power consumption now recorded in the Andhra region is not the actual consumption, as it had sacrificed its development by imposing severe power cuts. Sharing power on the basis of the existing demand is viewed as totally unjust.
“After the bifurcation of Madhya Pradesh, power was not shared on the basis of the demand from the respective areas. Chhattisgarh is today a power-surplus State, as generation in that State is higher. No sacrifice was being made for the erstwhile capital. The State was, in fact, generating revenue by selling surplus power,” Mr. Krishna said.