AP CM appeals to PM enhance share of unallocated power

Hyderabad, Jan 7 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to enhance the state's share of unallocated power from the present 300 MW to 500 MW, to enable the state to tide over the present power crisis and meet the needs of the farm sector for the ensuing Rabi season.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Reddy requested him to make arrangements for the release of 300 MW from the eastern region's unallocated power to the state, to meet the demand supply gap till May. He also requested for the immediate intervention of Prime Minister in the issue, to draw an adequate solution.

Dr Reddy said the state was currently facing a power shortage of 1,200 MW due to the inadequate supply of gas from ONGC and the GAIL, despite firm gas supply agreements. As a result, around 2,000 MW of generation capacity was lying idle, he added.

The governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala had offered 100 to 400 MW of power to Andhra Pradesh during January 2007, Dr Reddy explained.

He also out that as the three southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala were allocated 328 MW, 328 MW and 293 MW respectively from the unallocated power, they did not face any power shortage, whereas the share of Andhra Pradesh was only 184 MW.

UNI