Panels to redress power consumers' grievances

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, AUG. 26. The TDP president and Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, said here today that the Government would soon constitute committees with the local MLA as chairperson for every electricity sub-station for quick redressal of consumers' grievances.

He was responding to complaints about excess billing, low voltages and unscheduled power cuts by party leaders from Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts during the TDP's ongoing analysis of its electoral performance in Mandals and Zilla Parishads.

Leaders from these districts said many people were unhappy with the new electronic meters installed by APTRANSCO which they perceived were responsible for the substantial increase in their electricity bills. They also wanted introduction of monthly billing system because irregular visits by meter readers altered the tariff slab to the higher category. A party spokesman quoted Mr. Naidu as assuring the partymen that the Government was prepared to re-orient its policies wherever necessary to meet people's expectations. He reacted positively to a suggestion that he should interact more with local leaders, resolve problems and bring about a better understanding with officials during his frequent district tours.

At the same time, he counselled district leaders to improve coordination among them and settle differences at their level. This would not only help the State leadership in receiving credible feedback on political issues but also motivate lower- level cadre to work cohesively.

Mr. Naidu said the party would formulate a programme for partymen to interact with people more often and finalise a schedule by September for holding district and mandal-level party meetings. He said this in reply to the feeling expressed by some leaders that they were not getting an opportunity to meet the people except during the Janmabhoomi programme and the elections.

He also offered to look into the question of delinking the Revenue department from the weaker sections' housing programme keeping in view of complaints of corruption and delays. Party leaders said that the Government used to release money in three instalments after construction of the foundation, lintels and the roof. But, after the involvement of the Revenue department for issue of various certificates, the payments were getting delayed.

A number of issues relating to Girijan-dominated areas in the two districts such as non-release of funds for ITDA, reservation of seats for BCs in areas inhabited by tribals and delay in payments for tamarind procured by cooperative societies also figured at the meeting. The diversion of EAS funds earmarked for road-laying to developing casuarina plantations in Vizianagaram district was also raised. TDP representatives from Vizianagaram drew Mr. Naidu's attention to the increased naxalite activity in areas bordering Orissa.

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Section  : Southern States
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