Visakhapatnam: General public, members of various NGOs and Left parties strongly came out against the proposed tariff hikes by the state-run power companies, at the public hearing conducted by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) here on Thursday.
Projecting a revenue deficit of about Rs 5,100 crore, the Discoms of the state readied proposals for tariff hikes as well as re-grouping of the consumers. Secretariat Member of CPM Ch Narasinga Rao said that there was rationale in proposing tariff hikes when the fuel charges had drastically came down.
“To add more misery to the common people, the TDP government is planning to hike the tariffs for the second consecutive year. I cannot understand the motive behind the proposals when the Discoms themselves enjoy surplus power,” Rao added.
District CPI leader K Markenduyulu found fault with the government for entering into power purchase agreements with the private players at exorbitant prices. A CPM activist P Mani questioned how the government can propose tariff hikes when many villages are in the dark for ages.
President of the Residents’ Welfare Association of Srinivasa Nagar K Ramakrishnam Raju vehemently opposed the re-grouping of the consumers based on the power consumption in the 2015-16 financial year.
Earlier, the Left parties staged a protest against the proposed tariff hikes. Chairman of APERC Justice Bhavani Prasad said that they would take the opinions and suggestions of the people into consideration. He said tariff hikes would be taken up as per the regulations and after considering the people’s opinions all over the state.
Director of APERC Rammohan Rao, Chairman of APEPDCL Revu Mutyala Raju and other senior officers of Discoms were present.
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