Date:29/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/29/stories/2008022952380700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Clarification on power to LI schemes sought

HYDERABAD: Expressing apprehensions over the Government’s commitment to complete the Lift Irrigation (LI) schemes, particularly those in Telangana, the Telugu Desam Party has demanded that Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy clarify as to how the Government plans to supply 6,400 MW power required to operate 23 LI schemes under Jalayagnam programme. Winding up the debate on the budget in Legislative Council on Thursday, TDP member A. Revanth Reddy said if completed, the LI schemes would consume half of the State’s installed power generation capacity of 12,339 MW. The Government was, however, not clear about enhancing the power generation capacity to meet the requirements. Moreover, claims were made on creating new ayacut of 12 lakh acres every year, but the Government was now admitting that only 14.25 lakh acres new ayacut was created and another 16 lakh acres would be brought under the plough before the elections.

CPI (M) floor leader Ch. Sitaramulu said while the Government was publicising the allocations that were made for the poor, it was not making public the amounts spent in the form of concessions to the rich in the name of special economic zones.