Govt cannot provide 9-hour power to farmers: AP Minister

Hyderabad, Dec 23 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information and Public Relations and Energy, Mohd Ali Shabbir today clarified that it was not possible to provide power to farmers for nine hours in the present situation.

Talking to newspersons here, after a review meeting with the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and other officials concerned, he said the State was a farmer-friendly Government and would supply even 10 to 12 hours, if the situation permitted. It would, however, be impossible now to provide power to farmers for nine hours, he added.

Referring to the demand of the TRS Chief Minister and former Union Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao that the Government should supply power to farmers for 9 hours contineously, Mr Shabbir asked, if Mr Rao, who worked as a Union Minister did not know the ground reality.

The minister said it was not proper on the part of Mr Rao to incite the farmers with an untenable demand.

Mr Shabbir promised that power supply would be improved as when the situation eased.

The Government was providing free power to the farmers for nearly three years and had waived energy dues to the tune of Rs 1200 crore to improve the condition of the farmers, he added.

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