Southern States
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Andhra Pradesh
CM promises increased subsidy to compensate for tariff hike
By Our Special Correspondent
Hyderabad
Jan. 25.
The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, has indicated that the Government may release substantial amount of subsidy for the year 2002-2003, which will be more than that given for the previous year, to reduce the additional tariff burden proposed by the AP Transco.
Talking to reporters in his Secretariat chamber here this evening, the Chief Minister said that the time for the Government to indicate the subsidy amount was not yet ripe as a clear picture regarding the Transco proposals was yet to emerge after public hearings to be conducted by the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission. He refused to go beyond this point, saying that it was not proper to elaborate at this juncture when the matter was pending before the APERC. Elaborations at this stage would render the existence of the commission meaningless, he said.
Mr Naidu said one should not grudge reforms which were on in the power and other sectors in the State because they were bound to give results, though appearing costly in the beginning. For the present, the power sector was better off except for the tariff rates which, however, would come down sooner or later as a long-term benefit.
The spending made on reforms in other sectors at the instance of the World Bank would certainly give results.
Asked as to what the Government stand was on the naxalites' offer to participate in talks, the Chief Minister said he was "at it'' and right now, "internal consultation'' was going on.
Reacting to a suggestion from a journalist that some spiritual leaders should be involved in the talks, he said "Why spiritual leaders alone. We will invite journalists also if such a time comes."
The Chief Minister, who was cheerful perhaps at the outcome of the municipal elections, fielding several queries, said bogus voting was contained to a large extent for the first time in the State under these elections.
He was contemplating introducing bio-metric cards for voters by which the menace could be brought to a negligible level. He attributed the poor voter turnout to the cricket match and indifference on the part of the middle class to take part in the process which would decide the fate of their city/town for the next five years.
Mr Naidu said development was and would be his singular ideology, referring to how he turned to Government work uninterruptedly from this morning itself after being busy with the elections till last night.
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