A P seeks review of power allocation from central power units

New Delhi, Jan 11 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh today sought an immediate review of existing distribution of unallocated share of Central power units and increase its share in view of the serious power shortage faced by the state.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy who met Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shindhe to brief him about the crisis faced by the state due to surge in the demand from the agricultural sector and the non-supply of gas by ONGC as promised by them leading to keeping 1500 MW capacity idle whereas the shortage was around 1200 MW.

The unallocated power from central power units for A P was mere 180 MW as against 328 MW for Karnataka, 334 MW for Tamil Nadu and 293 MW for Kerala in the southern grids. Since these states were not facing serious shortage as A P, the centre should hike Andhra's share to 500 MW out of 1048 MW. State energy minister Shabbir Ali and AP Transco CMD Rachel Chatterjee and some MPs were part of the delegation led by CM. Mr Shinde assured the delegation that he would consider Andhra'a request in the right spirit.

In his meeting with Health Minister Ambumani Ramadoss, Dr Reddy sought central help for the proposed Health Insurance scheme for the below poverty line population covering six major ailments providing an insurance of Rs 200,000 per family.

The diseases concerning kidney and neurology are sought to be covered in three backward districts of Ananthapur, Mehboobnagar and Srikakulam on a pilot basis under 'Community Health Insurance Scheme' through government hospitals on the basis of ration card issued by the authorities involving no payment from the patient's side. To make the scheme operate in a cost effective manner, public-private partnership would be promoted between the insurance company, private sector hospitals and state agencies.

Dr Reddy said there were many instances where these dreaded diseases had led the families to suicides after being caught in the debt trap.

He also urged the Health Minister not to insist on the beedi manufacturers to print human 'skull' to warn the users about the dangers of smoking without providing alternatives to lakhs of beedi workers depending on beedi rolling and collection of beedi leaves.

The Minister told the CM that it was at the request of Andhra Pradesh that he had delayed the implemenation by four months.

The CM will have informal discussions with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia tomorrow.

UNI