Deadline for capacitor installation extended

Hyderabad, May 1 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Government will ''convert'' 5.42 per cent of the free power consumers into ''paying category'' even as it extended by another month the deadline for installation of capacitors by farmers.

An official release here today said as per the final enumeration under modified power supply policy, 94.58 per cent of the existing agricultural connections will continue to get free power and only 5.42 per cent of the existing agricultural connections will be under the paying category.

The government also decided to extend the deadline upto May 2006 for ensuring 100 per ent installation of capacitors by the farmers.

Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy who reviewed the progress of capacitors with top power officials here today said so far 12.71 lakh capacitors (56.56 per cent) have been fixed to the pumpsets as on April 30, 2006.

He also directed the officials to step up campaign for installation of capacitors.

Installation of capacitors of adequate rating will increase voltage profile by ten per cent, reduce losses by one per cent and sav power by 10 per cent, he added.

More than one lakh capacitors each have been provided to the farmers in Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Nalgonda and Chittoor districts. Installation of capacitors in other districts was also encouraging.

On the request of district collectors, requisite capacitors are being made available by various manufacturers at reasonable rates.

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