Pandemonium marks debate on power situation in AP house

Hyderabad, Feb 24 (UNI) Pandemonium prevailed in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly today when the precarious power situation in the state was taken up for a short duration discussion, suspending the regular discussion on the Budget.

The main Opposition TDP members stalled the proceedings of the House when Energy Minister, replying to the debate, suggested that former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu must undergo ''medical test'' as he continued to behave like Chief Minister even now and was claiming credit for every achievement of the Congress Government, including the good CRISIL rating for the TRANSCO and the state getting the Rs 13500 Crore FAB city project.

Maintaining that he had not ''uttered any unparliamentary word'' in his reply, the Minister, however, expressed regret if he had hurt the sentiments of the opposition party members.

As the Leader of the Opposition demanded a firm assurance from the Government that it would ensure nine hours of uninterrupted power supply to peasants as against staggered seven hours,the Chief Minister, intervening in the debate, asserted that the government would protect the standing crops, including import of power from other states to meet the unprecedented increased demand following quantum jump in the extent of land brought under cultivation during the Rabi.

Refusing to concede the demand of the Opposition to step up hydel generation at Srisailam, the Chief Minister said the storage at the reservoir was needed for the future.

Dr Reddy also turned down the demands of the opposition that the government must bear the cost installing power saving devices including capacitors and that the power supply should not be staggered.

After the TDP, CPI(M) and TRS registered their protests, dissatisfied with the Chief Minister's 90-minute reply, the Speaker adjourned the House abrubtly without giving a chance to other parties to register their protest.

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