The Hindu : CM promises quality power to ryots

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

CM promises quality power to ryots

By Our Staff Reporter

HUZURABAD (KARIMNAGAR DT), JAN. 20. The Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, had to face some embarrassing moments when farmers, who had assembled to participate in the Rythu mitra training programme here on Tuesday, raised a voice of protest against erratic power supply.

He was participating as the chief guest at the Rythu mitra members' training programme of the Karimnagar, Indurthi, Kamalapur and Huzurabad segments here today.

When Mr. Naidu said his Government was providing quality power to the farming sector, the farmers present vociferously refuted his claim. The Chief Minister tried to pacify the farmers, but in vain.

After some time, Mr. Naidu assured the farmers that he would take personal responsibility to ensure assured and quality power supply. "I will see to it that not even one cent of crop dries up because of shortage of power. I will take all measures to protect standing crops in the State,'' he said. He called upon farmers to telephone him if they were not getting proper power supply.

He said the Government was providing about 7 to 8 hours of power supply to farmers. In sharp contrast, in other States, farmers were not even getting four to five hours supply, he noted. "There was no power generation in the Nagarajunasagar and Srisailam hydel projects due to depletion of water levels during the season, leading to a crisis,'' he said and added that the Government had added an additional 5,000 MW by setting up thermal power projects.

Flaying the Congress' promise of providing free power to farmers, he said that the party which was ruling in 15 States was not able to implement it.

"I can also take a decision on free power supply to farmers. But, farmers will not get quality power supply and electric poles and wires can be used only to hang clothes,'' he added.

He called upon farmers to say `no' to free power and `yes' to quality and assured power supply.

Mr. Naidu announced that the Government would extend loans to Rythu mitra members at 4 per cent interest, on a par with women self-help group members.

State Ministers, Kadiam Srihari, Tummala Nageswara Rao, M. Damodar Reddy, the Peddapalli MP, Suguna Kumari, former MLAs, E. Peddi Reddy, K. Devender Rao, S. Devaiah, were present.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh