Navaratnalu… A Successful Saga of State Government
Welfare programs under Navaratnalu in AP Power sector can hugely benefit lakhs of families, says Energy Minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy
---K Vijayanand, special chief secretary, energy
The State government is highly committed towards public well being and effectively implementing the welfare programs under the prestigious Navaratnalu scheme in AP Power sector that is benefitting lakhs of families in the State, said Minister for energy Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy
The government has agreed to bear a burden of Rs 10135.22 crore for FY 2023-24 as subsidy for providing 9 hours free power supply to agriculture consumers and concessions extended to various classes of consumers like SC, ST, MBC, and Aqua farmers and also subsidy for domestic consumers as well. The State government has committed to bridge the total Revenue Gap determined by AP Electricity Regulatory Commission for FY 2023-24 with no tariff hike to any category/class of consumers except for Energy Intensive Industries. As per the promise made by the government, there will be no increase in electricity charges for all classes of consumers. These unaltered electricity tariff rates are designed to appease to all categories of consumers to make people happy.
The State government is extending free power to SC/ST consumers who have consumed electricity below 200 units per month. The government has also provided free/subsidized power to most backward classes (MBC), Dhobighats, laundries, goldsmith workers, salons, rold gold workers and handloom workers, sugar cane crushers and rural horticulture nurseries etc. The Government is bearing the burden of Rs.7641.85 Crore towards free power to agriculture and Rs. 1206.20 Crore for Aquaculture sector and Rs. 1238.30 Crore to extend free/subsidized power to SC, ST, MBCs, Dhobighats and other categories of consumers etc.
Only for the Industries like ferro alloy which consumes a lot of electricity, Rs. 475/kVA demand charges are levied on par with general industries. There are no demand charges for these ferro alloy industries till now. Energy charges are also 50 paise less per unit compared to conventional industries and there are no peak demand charges
Disclosing the above during a virtual meeting with AP power utilities, the energy minister said that the State government had laid special focus on the welfare of people and implemented Navaratnalu scheme in power sector. The government is implementing the ambitious scheme of free power to agriculture and weaker sections and others as part of providing welfare to them.
The government has strongly committed to empower power sector through which the people get empowered and every step of government is absolutely aimed at transforming the sector into people’s friendly sector and benefit each and every family in the State. The government has almost achieved100 per cent success of the welfare schemes in power sector, he said.
As the power is the fuel for the economic growth engine of the state and key for welfare of people, the State government is giving utmost priority for strengthening the sector. The objective of government is that every family, every domestic, commercial and industrial consumer shall get quality, reliable and affordable 24x7 hours power supply, said energy minister.
In the larger interests of power looms consumers and flour mills up to 10 HP, the Commission exempted kVAH billing to these consumers based on the mass representations on this issue and practical difficulties being faced by them. This is expected to be a big boon and much sought respite to these sections of consumers keeping their present socio economic conditions in view.
The Minister said that the electricity consumers are expecting more cost-efficient, reliable and resilient services from power utilities as well as providing quality power supply. The State government is giving more priority for consumer protection and social responsibility in power sector. The same was reflected in the recent power tariffs released by APERC. The government wants to ensure that the expectations and needs of every consumer need to be acknowledged and addressed in a more effective way. This is one of the success mantras for development and sustainability of power sector,” Minister said.
At the same time, “The government has also taken steps to make free power scheme as a role model to the entire country. The government wants to see fulfillment in the eyes of every farmers by ensuring that the free power scheme gets implemented more effectively. This will improve living standards of farmers, agricultural productivity and give a boost to the rural economy. The concrete steps taken by Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy have brought real cheers to farming community in the State,” said Minister for Energy.
Special chief secretary K Vijayanand said that though the government is very much satisfied about the welfare schemes in power sector, AP power utilities shall put all out concerted efforts to be the best State in the country in providing 24X7 quality and reliable power. He asked power utilities to be more cautious during the summer to avoid any inconvenience to the people due to any interruptions in power supply.
He said that the power utilities are taking all necessary steps to supply uninterrupted power during summer as the demand for electricity is steadily increasing. He said that the power utilities have taken up network improvement works to meet the consumer satisfaction by supplying quality power and will strive hard to reach expectation of State government.
The Minister has appreciated sincere efforts of CMD APTRANSCO and MD APGENCO B Sreedhar, CMDs of DISCOMs, K Santosha Rao , J Padma Janardhana Reddy and their team for meeting the power demand and providing quality power supply under the able-guidance of special chief secretary Energy
.jpg)
Leave Comments