Hyderabad, March 17: Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today informed the state Assembly that the government has taken steps to ensure there are no power cuts in the state during summer this year. “We have booked the southern distribution corridor for 1,000 MW of power in March and 800 MW in April,’’ he said.
Not satisfied with the government’s reply on power supply situation in the state, the TDP, CPI and CPM staged a walk-out from the House protesting the government’s ‘lackadaisical response’ to the issue and rejection of demand to form a House Committee for an on-the-field study of the power situation in the state.
Responding to members’ queries, the chief minister asserted that top priority was being given to protect the standing crops by ensuring seven-hour free power to farm sector.
Priority was also being given to supply power to drinking water schemes and 12-hour power from 6 pm to 6 am for convenience of students during exam time, he said.
Kiran Kumar Reddy further said that the dispute between GAIL and Reliance company has resulted in shortage of about 800 MW of power from gas-based stations in Andhra Pradesh. Efforts were on to procure 2.6 MMSCMD regasified LNG from GAIL to enable generation of additional 500 MW from gas based projects.
Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the Congress government has totally failed in strengthening the power sector. “Undeclared power cuts and low voltage problem have become the order of the day. There is a need for continuation of power sector reforms,’’ he said.
G Mallesh (CPI) and J Ranga Reddy (CPM) criticised the government for its failure to implement its poll promise of nine-hour power supply to agriculture sector. Pasha Quadri (MIM) and V Geetha (PRP) wanted the government to lift power cuts during summer months. Jayaprakash Narayan (LSP) said the government lacks vision with respect to power situation. Despite sufficient water levels in reservoirs the government was not in a position to provide required power to the consumers, he said.
Earlier, making a statement on behalf of the chief minister IT minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah said peak demand for power touched a record 258.4 million units on March 14 while the average demand met during March was 250.8 million units.
—Agencies