The Hindu : Damage to crops: walkout over refusal to order probe

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 28, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Damage to crops: walkout over refusal to order probe

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD March 27. The Congress and the CPI (M) staged a walkout in the Assembly on Thursday over the refusal of the State Government to order an inquiry into the damage to crops on account of poor power supply.

The parties also protested against the refusal of the Government to concede the demand for waiver of power dues of farmers. They claimed that the Maharashtra Government had waived dues of Rs. 800 crores though the drought was not so severe in the State.

The Power Minister, K. Subbarayudu, said the Maharashtra Government charged Re.1 per unit for agriculture, whereas the rate was only 20 paise a unit in the State. Moreover, the State Government had waived a surcharge of Rs. 142 crores for the farm sector.

Mr. Subbarayudu said there was no truth in the Opposition charge that only seven hours of supply was maintained for agriculture. As against the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) for 9,900 million units (MUs) submitted to the A.P. Electricity Regulatory Commission by APTRANSCO for 2002-03, the supply was almost 12,300 MUs. Twelve hours of supply was ensured in August in view of a prolonged dry spell.

The Minister promised that there would be no compromise on saving the standing crop. Supply would be maintained to agriculture at the cost of industrial and domestic consumers.

The Leader of the Opposition, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who initially demanded a House Committee probe, relented and sought an inquiry by an IAS officer into crop damage due to poor power supply which led to hundreds of farmers committing suicide. The inquiry could be conducted anywhere in the State.

He said the nine-hour supply as promised by the Government was never maintained either during the kharif or the rabi season. He also challenged the claim of the Minister that power cut was imposed for industries to ensure supply to agriculture. Dr. Reddy demanded a firm reply from the Government whether there would be a power cut for domestic and horticulture sectors after April 1.

The CPI (M) MLA, S. Rajaiah, said power supply was not available for even an hour in Dharmaram and Peruru villages of Rajedu mandal in Bhadrachalam Assembly constituency represented by him. Crops had failed badly in the two villages. The farmers had to procure diesel from Eturunagaram in adjoining Warangal district to run their pumpsets.

The CPI (M) Floor leader, N. Narasimhaiah, sought reduction in the power bills of the farmers proportionate to the period that the promise of nine-hour power supply could not be kept. He wanted a House Committee inquiry into the crop damage.

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