Vijayawada: Electricity charges will not be increased, says Minister Balineni Srinivas Reddy

Vijayawada: Even though there was a heavy revenue deficit owing to Covid-19 crisis in addition to the severe financial crisis of DISCOMS, the State government would not increase the electricity tariffs for the second consecutive year and would take steps to strengthen the energy sector in the State, announced Energy Minister Balineni Srinivas Reddy.

He made this announcement in the backdrop of AP DISCOMs recently filing Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) before Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC). The Minister on Sunday launched the new logo of AP State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM) along with the Energy Secretary N Srikanth.

Speaking on the occasion, Balineni Srinivas Reddy said that Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had strong commitment to not to burden the people of the State with tariff hike. Balineni said that the government was taking all possible steps to improve financial and operational performance of power utilities. As part of this, the government has already released Rs 17,904 crore in 2019-20 and till now towards clearing subsidy arrears of DISCOMS that were pending as on March 31, 2019. He further said the government allocated Rs 8353.58 crore for free power scheme and was providing Rs 717.39 crore to aqua farmers to supply power at subsidy rates and Rs 1707.05 crore towards domestic subsidy.

Srikant Nagulapalli informed the minister that the AP State Energy Conservation Mission would conduct energy conservation week from December 14 to 20 with an objective to create awareness among people on efficient use of energy. He further said that for the first time in the State, the SECM would conduct award competition as well to encourage various government and private institutions towards implementing energy efficiency. The secretary said that the government was considering energy efficiency as one of the most critical tools to achieve cost effective power and reduce wasteful energy consumption.