Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy today said free power to farmers will continue in spite of various hurdles faced by the power sector.

He reiterated the Government resolve to provide free power to farm sector notwithstanding the shortages and steep increase in power purchase expenses.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence in winning the 2014 elections. The Party and Government will perform better and we will win the polls.

Speaking to media in his Assembly chambers, the Chief Minister said, “The power situation, particularly generation is bad, due to a variety of reasons like shortage of inputs like gas, coal and also shortage of hydel power due to non-availability of water in reservoirs.” The Chief Minister said the State Government spends Rs 6,000 crore including additional power purchases per annum.

AP Transco purchases 35 million units of power daily.

Defending the fuel surcharge adjustments (FSA), he said it is only to meet the additional expenses incurred by the AP Transco for procuring power. It does not add to its revenue.

The Government is striving to improve the generation by speeding up linkage with the National Grid, getting more power through RLNG, and promoting solar and wind power.

The power generated from RLNG costs Rs 7.80 to Rs 8.00 a unit. He said the Government offered the Railways to provide its share for all the projects contemplated in the State.

The recently inducted Union Minister of State for Railways, Kotla Surya Prakash Reddy, was conveyed the State’s resolve to complete projects.

Bill presented

Speaking on the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan Bill-2012 presented to the Legislative Assembly today, he said this is the first move in the country and the House would discuss it the next two days.

rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

Related Topics