HYDERABAD: The Telugu Desam has sought to take credit for the success of the free power scheme of the Congress Government on the ground that the infrastructure created by the former during its rule has paved the way for its implementation.

TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu told a meeting to mark the assumption of office by D. Narendra Kumar as president of Telugu Rythu, the farmers wing of TDP, on Thursday that the foundation for the success of free power programme was already laid by the time the Congress returned to power.

Achievements listed

The TDP regime had ensured viability of the power sector by taking up reforms and creating infrastructure costing Rs.12,000 crores. The previous Government had also given quality power to agriculture sector for nine hours a day. It was under these circumstances that the Congress went to polls in the State promising free power. A similar promise by Congress in Punjab and Maharashtra did not work since such infrastructure had not been put in place in those States.

Mr. Naidu said his prophecy seven years ago that reforms would bring down power tariff had come true now. He blamed the Congress Government for diluting the free power scheme by insisting the farmers to install meters with ISI certification and capacitors. The Government had also reduced the supply by two hours a day to save Rs. 400 crores annually.

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