The Hindu : CPI to intensify stir against power reforms

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 22, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

CPI to intensify stir against power reforms

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM APRIL 21. The Communist Party of India (CPI) has planned to intensify the agitation against power reforms in the State.

The assistant secretary of the State CPI, K. Narayana, told reporters here on Sunday that the nine Communist parties, which are against the reforms in the power sector and the hike in the electricity tariff, would decide the future course of agitation after the State-wide programme of dharnas at mandal offices on Tuesday. ``The agitation programme may include a State-wide bandh,'' he disclosed.

Mr. Narayana pointed out that people vehemently opposed the hike in power tariff at the public hearings organised in various parts of the State by the APTransco and yet the rates were revised `undemocratically'. He said the party was also opposed to the State Government's decision to appoint an international consultancy for the power sector in the State.

He faulted the Telugu Desam Government for casting additional burden on people by way of hike in property tax, which was even opposed by the TDP-led Tirupati municipal council. "The Chief Minister now says that property tax revision could be undertaken up to 70 per cent. What is the basis for the 70 per cent yardstick? Has the income of people gone up like it,'' he said.

Mr. Narayana said the property tax would prove the proverbial last straw on the people's back and that this trend would lead to other services including the supply of drinking water being taxed and all subsidies withdrawn. "The State Government has forfeited its social obligation and resorted to business,'' he alleged.

According to the CPI leader, the State Government was poised to privatise the power distribution companies `which would pave the way for the entry of mafia as had happened in the case of arrack sale in the State.'' He said that the party estimated that APGenco would earn Rs. 530 crores if it was offered the price at which power was being purchased from private producers, but it did not have the cushion of any incentive.

Referring to the Opposition's demand at the Centre for sacking of the Narendra Modi Government in Gujarat and debate under the rule 184 in Parliament, Mr. Narayana said that Mr. Naidu merely expressed his view on the crisis but had failed to press home his demand with the Prime Minister, A. B. Vajpayee. Mr. Naidu's ambivalent stand on the Gujarat crisis had certainly cast a shadow on his secular credentials, he felt.

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