Power tariff hike : TDP, YSRCP launch signature campaigns

Tirupati: The Telugu Desam Party and YSRCP launched signature campaigns to know the public pulse on government's decision of hiking the power charges. Tirupati legislator Bhumana Karunakar Reddy launched the campaign near SV High School and TDP at Indira Nagar near Town Club circle here on Friday.

The YSRCP collected signatures from individuals on separate sheets along with contact addresses and phone numbers. They asked two questions-'Do you agree hike in power tariff or disagree; are you satisfied with the supply of power or not'. YSRCP named this campaign as 'Praja Ballot'.

Karunakar Reddy launched the campaign and addressed the gathering about the need for this kind of campaign. "After completion of the signature campaign, I will send these signatures to the Governor," he said.Speaking to the media on this occasion, Bhumana said that the government was not working for the welfare of the poor, but serving the rich.

Though there is no burden on those people who are using below 200 units of power a month, the small shopkeepers have to bear the brunt as they use more than 200 units per month, he explained. There was no power tariff hike during tenure of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, but the present government was acting against the poor, he said.

TDP leader Chadalawada Krishna Murthy inaugurated the signature campaign at Indira Nagar on Friday afternoon. Though there was no questionnaire, the local cadre is collecting signatures from the people, including petty shopkeepers.

Nellore: Telugu Desam Party senior leader Somireddy Chandrasekhar Reddy, party district president Beeda Ravindra and Sullurpet MLA Parasa Venkata Ratnam launched a signature campaign against hike in power charges and power cuts, in Sarvepalli assembly constituency on Friday.

Speaking at the meeting at Brahmadevam village of Muthukur mandal in Nellore district, Somireddy Chandrasekhar Reddy said that the Chief Minister's statement that there no increase in tariff for power used below 200 units and will collect surcharge even for one single unit consumed more than that clearly shows the State government's dual standard.

He said they will organise a bandh on April 9 against the Congress government for its anti-people policies and the protests will continue till the government rollback the hike in power tariff.Chandrasekhar Reddy said they are not against APGenco but only opposing its step to set up ash ponds in the lands at Nelaturu of Muthukur mandal which was actually meant for Genco quarters.