CM promises 6 slabs instead of 4

By Our Staff Reporter

GUNTUR, JULY 26. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, has hinted that the Government would urge the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) to review the situation after one year and consider the enhancement of the number of slabs from four to six.

In an informal chat with presspersons at the ITC-ILTD Golf Course, where he boarded his chopper, here, on Wednesday, the Chief Minister admitted that some sections of the middle class were burdened by the increase in power tariff. With a view to helping those sections, the Government would consider recommending to the ERC on the enhancement of slabs. The State Government was giving a subsidy of Rs. 2,435 crores to the AP Transco. The additional revenue that could be generated through the tariff hike was only Rs. 790 crores a year. ``In fact, the State Government recommended six slabs and higher price for the hi-tension consumers. But, the ERC after studying the situation did not agree to our proposal. They did a massive exercise for 100 days before enhancing the power tariff. There is nothing that the State Government can do about it. That is the reason why I did not call for an all-party meeting. The APERC would review the situation and revise the tariff structure every year'' he said.

Mr. Naidu took potshots at the opposition parties which were organising agitations. He parried questions on the picking up of Communist leaders and the heavy police bandobast. However, the Chief Minister said that every political party had a right to express its view in a democracy. ``But, they should follow democratic principles. Let them organise meetings and enlist popular support. But, they are barging into our meetings. Are our cadres doing the same way? They beat Ministers and legislators. But, we should not protect ourselves. We should not beat those who are causing hindrance to Government programmes. What is this?'' he asked emotionally.

In a democracy, people were the real judges. Let them go to the people, he pointed out. Asked whether he would perceive the ensuing panchayat elections as a referendum on the power tariff hike, Mr. Naidu said: ``Why all these questions, brother. You need something or the other to write.'' In an oblique reference to the Congress(I), Mr. Naidu said that the Maharashtra Government recommended 20 per cent hike in power tariff, but the ERC reduced it to 6 per cent and the Government approached the court.

Even in Rajasthan, four companies were floated for effecting power reforms. ``I do not understand why they are pursuing dual standards. Why should not they understand the situation here in a positive manner? They say something in the States where they are in power and something else here. Is it just and reasonable?'' he asked.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Next     : Agitators lathicharged