CM reviews power situation

Hyderabad, Jan 23 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said the record Rabi production in the state was standing testimony to the fact that power was supplied to farmers for seven hours and not an acre of crop was allowed to spoil.

''Farmers have grown paddy on a record scale in this Rabi season, due to the availability of enough ground water and of course free power,'' he said, while reviewing power situation with officials here.

Dr Reddy said even in the midst of power crisis due to steep increase in demand and problems in generation, the government had instructed the APTRANSCO to ensure seven-hour power supply to farmers, an official release said.

''It is also a fact that in spite of the department advice to go in for alternate crops, the farmers had grown paddy in record acreage due to the remunerative price they received from the government and other agencies for paddy last time,'' he observed.

With the commissioning of the 210 MW third unit of the second phase of Rayalaseema Thermal Power Project tomorrow, power position would improve, he noted.

The Chief Minister will formally dedicate the project to the nation at Muddanur. The fourth unit with similar capacity would be ready by this May, the release added.

UNI