Naidu criticises Government inefficiency for power crisis

Hyderabad, Dec 29 (UNI) Telegu Desam Party(TDP) Chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrabau Naidu today alleged that the inefficiency of the Congress government, headed by Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was responsible for the present power crisis in the State.

Talking to newspersons here, he said, though there was water in bores and wells, farmers were unable to draw it due to power shortage.

Mr Naidu alleged that Trasansco was saving Rs 1,500 to Rs 1550 crore by reducing power supply by two hours. When his Government had provided power supply to the farmers for nine-hours, the Congress demanded supply for 12 hours and when it came to power, was unable to supply even for seven hours, as claimed by it, he added.

He said though the Rayalaseema Power Project was taken up three years ago, the Government had failed to complete it. Despite the fact that the Government had given permission for gas-based power projects, it failed to provide gas to these units, he added.

He said during his regime, 12,000 sub-stations were erected to ensure that there was no low-voltage.

Mr Naidu said the present Government had not properly assessed the power needs and had no full-time power minister for the past three years to do the exercise.

Stating that the next four months were crucial for the farm sector, he alleged that while his Government replaced a defunct transformer within 24 hours, the Congress was not doing so even in twenty days.

He said crops in 10 to 15 per cent of land had withered away, as the Government could not provide power to draw ground water.

Mr Naidu had alleged that over 3,7,43 farmers had committed suicides and 215 died due to snake bites and electric shocks, as the Government was providing part of the power during the night.

He said his party would continue the agitation till the Government gave an uninterrupted power supply for nine hours a day.

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