RAJAHMUNDRY: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy announced that the Government would impose power cut for two to four hours a day in the domestic category to ensure seven-hour power supply to the agricultural sector.

"We will see that even one acre of crop is not affected by insufficient power supply. I have asked AP Transco to go in for load relief [power cut] even for four hours in the domestic sector." Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday as his helicopter landed for refuelling en route Vizianagaram, he said that at first the Government thought of power cut for the industrial category. That would affect new units in the State. He said the rabi area had increased by 30 per cent, compared to last year and power consumption by the agriculture sector had also increased by 35 per cent against 13 per cent of domestic consumption. As a result of sufficient rain last year, the Government could manage the power situation till the first week of March, but actual problems began in the last week of the same month, Dr. Reddy said.

"We have asked every State in the country to give us power. We are spending Rs. 5 crore to 7 crore a day to purchase power from other States to see that there is no power cut to the agriculture sector and give 7-hour supply," the Chief Minister explained. He said that the State Government was drawing maximum power (excess quota) from the Southern Grid, which other States were objecting. He said domestic customers had to share the difficulties of fellow farmers and the Government was not keeping anything secret with regard to the power situation.

Capacitors

Regarding fixing of capacitors to motors, Dr. Reddy said it was possible to cover only 35 per cent of farmers; the rest would be covered soon. The Government was going to press central banks, Dwacra groups and even companies directly to fix capacitors to consume 12 to 14 per cent of power.

Replying to other questions, he expressed the hope that the Gangavaram issue would be settled amicably.

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