2 weeks ago
104
Leaders of the NDA alliance have alleged that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government has imposed a burden of ₹1.50 lakh crore on electricity consumers by increasing the power tariffs multiple times in the last five years.
Addressing a press conference at the Jana Sena Party (JSP) office, near Mangalagiri, on Saturday, JSP State general secretary P. Vijay Kumar said the power utilities fleeced the consumers through various charges, which mainly included the true-up charges, and power was purchased from the open market for an additional ₹2 per unit in spite of the availability (of power) with the State DISCOMs.
Even after increasing the power tariffs, the government owed ₹34,776 crore to the DISCOMs. Distribution transformers were bought at exorbitant rates from the Shirdi Sai Electricals Ltd. There were many irregularities in the power sector, for which an explanation was due from the government, he asserted.
TDP national spokesman G.V. Reddy said the State had surplus power when the YSRCP took the reins from TDP in 2019, but the power utilities had since been struggling to keep themselves afloat.
PPAs cancelled
The YSRCP government purchased power at ₹20 per unit after cancelling the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the DISCOMs that were in force. Power could be purchased from the DISCOMs at just ₹4.50 a unit as per the PPAs. Smart meters were purchased at hefty prices.
A.P. BJP Minority Morcha president Sk. Baji pointed out that the industries sector was in dire straits due to the YSRCP government’s policies.
There was flight of capital out of the State after Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy became the Chief Minister and no new industries came to the State, he said.
